Ankle Mobility Wearable With Adjustable Pressure Applicators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle mobility practices require physical exertion by professionals or users to manipulate soft tissue for improved range of motion, leading to impaired dorsiflexion or plantar flexion and increased injury risk.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with adjustable straps and half spheres that apply pressure to the ankle muscles and tendons, allowing passive and active myofascial release without professional assistance, using materials like wood, acrylic, and hook-and-loop fasteners for personalized fit and pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation or massage is used to improve ankle mobility, then range of motion is improved, but physical exertion by professionals is required
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device enables users to perform myofascial release on their own ankles without requiring a professional to manually manipulate the soft tissue. The device includes pressure applicators that the user can position and adjust independently, transforming a service that previously required another person into a self-service treatment.
2Ease of operation
If rubber bands are used to facilitate improved range of motion, then mobility is enhanced, but physical exertion by both professional and user is required
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows the user to independently apply and maintain pressure to the ankle without requiring a professional to physically manipulate the tissue. The elastic straps and pressure applicators are designed to work with the user's own body mechanics, minimizing the energy expenditure required compared to active manual manipulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable pressure applicators are added to the wearable device, then personalized treatment is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure applicators are designed as separate, removable components that can be independently adjusted and positioned. This segmentation allows users to customize the treatment by selecting and positioning only the applicators needed for their specific needs, rather than having a single complex adjustable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable elastic straps and movable pressure applicators that can be dynamically repositioned by the user. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to different ankle sizes, shapes, and treatment requirements without requiring a completely different device for each scenario.
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
Enables increased ankle mobility and reduced injury risk through passive myofascial release, improving dorsi and plantar flexion, and alleviating pain and stiffness, with personalized treatment and long-term effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
adjustable half spheres that come in various sizes and materials such as wood and/or acrylic to apply pressure to the various areas of the ankle
Implementation Method 2
at least one fixed elastic strap that may wrap around a bottom/inferior part of a foot
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device that passively and/or actively massages the muscles and tendons on the front of the ankle enabling increased mobility. The device uses adjustable half spheres that come in various sizes and materials such as wood and/or acrylic to apply pressure to the various areas of the ankle inhibiting myofascial release. A fixed elastic strap may wrap around the bottom of the foot and an adjustable strap may wrap around the back across the Achilles tendon. It allows for the same techniques to be applied passively by the user without the assistance of anyone else.