Bistable Spring Arm Sling for Self-Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients find it difficult to secure an arm sling without assistance, as they need to use their unaffected arm and hand to position the shoulder strap, which can cause movement of the affected arm or shoulder, potentially leading to further injury.
Innovation Solution
An arm sling with a flexible cover and a bistable spring element that automatically clamps around the forearm, allowing the patient to secure the shoulder strap without moving the affected arm, using the bistable spring elements to fold the cover's borders around the forearm or wrist, ensuring the cover remains in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the patient uses their unaffected arm and hand to secure the shoulder strap, then the arm sling can be positioned correctly, but the affected arm or shoulder may move causing further injury
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable spring element is pre-loaded in a first stable state that automatically secures the flexible cover to the forearm when the arm is inserted. This preliminary action holds the cover in place before the patient uses their unaffected hand to secure the shoulder strap, preventing harmful movement of the affected arm throughout the entire positioning process
2Stability of the object's composition
If the patient must manually hold the cover in position, then the cover stays on the forearm, but the patient cannot use both hands to secure the shoulder strap
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable spring element provides self-service by automatically engaging and securing the flexible cover to the forearm through its spring bias. When the arm is inserted, the spring element's first stable state automatically clamps the cover in place without requiring manual intervention, freeing both of the patient's hands to secure the shoulder strap
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cover is made secure to prevent falling off, then the cover holds position, but it becomes difficult to adjust or remove
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable spring element provides dynamic security through two stable states. In the first stable state, the spring element maintains secure engagement of the cover on the forearm. In the second stable state, the spring element releases to allow easy removal or adjustment of the cover. This dynamic switching capability provides both secure retention during use and easy adjustability when 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
Enables the patient to securely position the arm sling without assistance, allowing for easy attachment of the shoulder strap and waist strap, reducing the risk of further injury and promoting healing by maintaining the affected arm in a stable position.
Implementation Method 1
the bistable spring element is deformable to activate the bistable spring element to move toward a coiled orientation of the bistable spring element which automatically (i) folds the longitudinally extending upper border of the foldable outer side of the forearm segment laterally, around the forearm or a wrist of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An arm sling apparatus and method in which one or more bistable spring elements in the flexible cover of the arm sling automatically operate to gently clamp and hold the flexible cover in place on the patient's affected arm so that the patient can freely use the patient's other arm and hand to extend and attach the shoulder strap of the arm sling, extend and attach a waste strap of the arm sling if present, and/or perform other tasks necessary for securing the arm sling.