Integrated Ankle Orthosis Strapping for Easy Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ankle orthoses require complex fastening systems that are costly, difficult to apply, and often lead to improper fitting and reduced comfort due to material consumption and design flaws, particularly affecting patients with mobility issues.

Innovation Solution

Ankle orthosis design featuring a base body with integrated straps and fastening elements, including a D-ring deflection element, that allows easy application and secure fitting, providing stabilization and swelling reduction without separate strap systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex fastening system with multiple straps and separate components is used, then the ankle orthosis provides adequate stabilization and immobilization, but the device complexity and difficulty of application increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilizationVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the stabilizing element and fastening system into a single molded piece structure. The stabilizing element includes integrated first and second fastening elements that are permanently attached to the body, eliminating the need for separate strap systems. This merging of components maintains the stabilization function while dramatically reducing device complexity and ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate straps and fastening components are used, then adequate immobilization is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and material consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveimmobilizationVSAvoidmanufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing element is manufactured as a single molded piece with integrated fastening elements, eliminating the need to separately manufacture and assemble multiple straps and fastening components. This reduces manufacturing steps, material consumption, and overall production cost while maintaining the immobilization function through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a separate strap system is used for immobilization, then adequate positioning is achieved, but the application process becomes time-consuming and difficult for patients with mobility issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepositioningVSAvoidapplication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening elements are integrated directly onto the stabilizing element, which is designed to be applied as a single piece over the ankle joint. This eliminates the need for patients to manually manipulate and attach separate straps, making the application process simple and quick while maintaining secure positioning through the integrated fastening system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If complex fastening systems with multiple components are used, then adequate stabilization is achieved, but the comfort of the wearer is reduced due to excessive material and bulk

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilizationVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of fastening elements directly onto the stabilizing element eliminates excessive straps and redundant materials. This streamlined design reduces bulk and material contact with the wearer's skin, improving comfort while maintaining adequate stabilization through the efficiently designed integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4574103B1Ankle joint or ankle joint
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 MEDI GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4574103B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4574103B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4574103B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Ankle orthosis (1), consisting of a base body (2) that surrounds the foot of a wearer at least medially, laterally, posteriorly, and plantarly, and at least two straps (7, 8) that extend from the medial side (3) of the base body (1) and run at least anteriorly over the foot of the wearer, wherein the base body (1) has at least one first fastening element (9) for the first strap (7) and at least one deflection element (11) for the second strap (8) on the lateral side (4), wherein the length of the first strap (7) is configured such that a first section (12) of the strap (7) extends from medially to laterally and a second section (13) surrounds the foot of a wearer posteriorly, so that a second fastening element (10) attached to its free end (14) on the inner side (15) can be fastened to the first lateral fastening element (9) of the base body (1).and wherein the second belt (8) has at least one third fastening element (18) at its free end (16) on the outer side (17), so that after a lateral deflection on the medial side (3) it can be fastened to itself, to the base body (1) or to the first belt (7) via a fourth fastening element (19).