Customizable Ankle Brace Elastic Strap Foot Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ankle-foot orthotics for treating foot drop are overly restrictive, bulky, difficult to put on and take off, and not customizable, leading to discomfort and inadequate support, while also impeding natural ankle and foot flexion during movement.
Innovation Solution
A customizable ankle-foot orthotic with an adjustable ankle brace and elastic strap system that allows for independent configuration of the fit, enabling reduced pressure points and adequate support, while allowing for natural ankle and foot flexion by applying a tensile force to inhibit foot drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid L-shaped members are used to lock the ankle in place, then foot drop is prevented, but natural ankle and foot flexion is completely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the support structure from rigid to elastic. The elastic strap maintains tensile force to prevent foot drop while allowing dynamic flexion movements, resolving the contradiction between reliable foot drop prevention and natural ankle/foot flexion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastic strap instead of rigid L-shaped members. The flexible elastic material provides continuous support while accommodating the natural range of motion of the ankle and foot, enabling both foot drop prevention and natural flexion.
2Reliability
If static or limited elasticity straps are used to support the front portion of the foot, then tensile force is sufficient to prevent foot drop, but natural flexing motion is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the elasticity parameter of the strap from static or limited to high elasticity. This allows the strap to maintain sufficient tensile force for foot drop prevention while dynamically stretching and recoiling to accommodate natural flexing motions during walking and running.
3Ease of manufacture
If one-size-fits-all orthotic design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but customization for pressure point reduction and adequate support is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the orthotic into separate components: an ankle brace and an elastic strap. This segmentation allows each component to be independently sized and adjusted, enabling customization for pressure point reduction and adequate support while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable elements that allow the orthotic to adapt dynamically to different users. The elastic strap can be adjusted in length and tension, and the ankle brace can be sized appropriately, transforming a static one-size-fits-all design into a dynamic, customizable system.
4Reliability
If numerous straps or anchors are used to secure the orthotic, then adequate support and stability are achieved, but ease of donning and doffing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary straps and anchors from the design, retaining only the essential elastic strap and ankle brace components. This extraction maintains adequate support and stability while dramatically simplifying the donning and doffing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The elastic strap simultaneously provides support, stability, and foot drop prevention, while the ankle brace provides structural support and attachment points. This merging reduces the number of separate straps and anchors needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The orthotic provides effective support for foot drop while allowing for easy donning and doffing, reducing pressure points and enabling natural movement, thus alleviating discomfort and gait abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic strap is configured to apply a tensile force between a wearer's ankle and shoe to counteract the effects of foot drop
Data Source
AI summary
A customizable ankle-foot orthotic. The orthotic including an ankle brace for installation around a wearer's ankle, the ankle brace including a first wing, a second wing, and a third wing anchored at a point between the first wing and the second wing, the second and third wings independently configurable to couple to a portion of the first wing to enable the wearer to customize the fit; a tension adjustment assembly including one or more strap loops; and an elastic strap operably linking the ankle brace to a wearer's shoe for applying an upward resistive force to the wearer's shoe to prevent inadvertent downward movement of a wearer's foot, the elastic strap threadable through the one or more strap loops such that the elastic strap wraps around the exterior face of the ankle brace and extends at a downward angle to engage the wearer's shoe.