Bed Exercise Foot Pad With Elastic Resistance for Muscle Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical professionals often prescribe bed rest, which can lead to muscle atrophy, making it difficult for patients to support their body weight when standing and moving.
Innovation Solution
A bed exercise system comprising a foot pad with elastic connectors that move between retracted and extended positions, increasing tension to engage muscles, including a rigid support member and cushion for comfort, and adjustable straps for stability and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bed rest is prescribed for medical treatment, then patient recovery is facilitated, but muscle atrophy occurs leading to reduced muscle strength
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise system enables patients to perform resistance exercises during bed rest, proactively maintaining muscle strength before discharge. By engaging muscles in controlled resistance movements while still in bed, patients prevent the onset of atrophy rather than waiting until they are ready to stand
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows patients to independently perform exercises using their own body weight and the elastic resistance mechanism, without requiring constant physical therapy intervention. The foot pad and elastic connectors create a self-contained exercise apparatus that patients can operate autonomously
2Strength
If a portable lower limb therapy device with pulley system is used, then muscle strength can be maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential components needed for lower limb exercise from a full therapy device. By using simple elastic connectors instead of complex pulley systems, and a basic foot pad instead of an elaborate platform, the core function of resistance training is preserved while removing unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the resistance mechanism from mechanical (pulleys and weights) to elastic (stretchable connectors). This parameter change simplifies the device while maintaining the ability to provide adjustable resistance through the elastic properties of the connectors
3Strength
If elastic connectors are used to provide resistance, then muscle engagement is achieved, but device complexity increases compared to fixed resistance systems
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic connectors provide dynamic resistance that changes throughout the range of motion. As the connectors stretch during exercise, the resistance naturally increases, creating a progressive overload effect without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This dynamic property engages muscles more effectively than static resistance
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 system helps prevent muscle atrophy and reduces rehabilitation time by engaging lower body muscles during bed rest, enhancing balance and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The first elastic connector has a first end coupled to a first lateral side of the foot pad and a second end configured to couple to a patient support structure. The second elastic connector has a first end coupled to a second lateral side of the foot pad and a second end configured to couple to the patient support structure. When the second end of the first elastic connector and the second end of the second elastic connector are coupled to the patient support structure: (i) the foot pad is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the patient support structure, and (ii) a tension on the first elastic connector and a tension on the second elastic connector increases as the foot pad moves from the first position to the second position.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
In an example, a bed exercise system includes a foot pad and first and second elastic connectors. The foot pad includes a rigid support member. The first elastic connector has a first end coupled to a first lateral side of the foot pad and a second end for coupling to a support structure. The second elastic connector has a first end coupled to a second lateral side of the foot pad and a second end coupling to the support structure. When the second ends of the first and second elastic connectors are coupled to the support structure: (i) the foot pad is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the support structure, and (ii) a tension on the first elastic connector and a tension on the second elastic connector increases as the foot pad moves from the first position to the second position.