Orthopedic Brace Elastic Joints for Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid arches in orthopedic orthoses cause discomfort due to cutting sensations and instability during flexion movements, as they are solidly joined to the uprights, leading to anomalous traction and potential displacement of the orthosis.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating elastic type joints for the restraining arches that allow angular shifting, using semi-flexible materials like rubber or polyurethane with shaped protuberances and slots for a semi-elastic connection, enabling the arches to absorb muscular traction while maintaining stability and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid arches are solidly joined to the uprights, then structural strength and stability are improved, but cutting sensations and discomfort occur during flexion movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the arch connection by introducing elastic joints between the arches and uprights. This allows the connection to transition from completely rigid to semi-flexible, enabling the arches to adapt to muscular deformations during movement while maintaining sufficient structural strength to prevent displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the arch-upright connection through elastic joints. These joints allow the arches to dynamically adjust their position relative to the uprights during flexion movements, accommodating changes in limb geometry and muscle tension without causing cutting sensations or discomfort.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid arches are used, then positioning stability is improved, but anomalous traction and potential displacement occur during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the stiffness parameter of the arch-upright connection to an intermediate value through elastic joints. This semi-flexible connection maintains positioning stability by preventing excessive movement while allowing sufficient compliance to accommodate physiological changes during movement, thereby eliminating anomalous traction and potential displacement.
3Ease of operation
If elastic type joints are used, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but structural rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies elastic joints only at specific locations where the arches connect to the uprights, while maintaining the overall rigidity of the arches and uprights themselves. This localized flexibility provides the necessary comfort during movement while preserving the structural rigidity needed for orthotic function in other critical areas.
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 elastic joints absorb traction during flexion, reducing cutting sensations and maintaining orthosis positioning, enhancing comfort and stability by allowing controlled angular movements.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-elastic connection element (24), made from an elastic material, i.e. rubber or polyurethane or silicone
Data Source
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AI summary
An orthopedic orthosis or brace designed for rehabilitation of joints of the human body, such as the knee, the elbow, the ankle, the shoulder or similar, comprises a pair of hinged joints (11, 12) acting as supports for relative pairs of femoral (13, 15) and tibial (14, 16) uprights, the ends of these uprights opposite the hinged joints being attached to restraining arches (17, 18) acting as connecting elements for building up the frame of the orthosis which is fixed to the limb by means of a series of flexible type anchoring straps (19) attached to the uprights. The restraining arches (17, 18) are fitted at the ends of the respective uprights (13, 14, 15, 16) by means of the interposition of an elastic type joint (20), which determines an elastic restraint between the arches (17, 18) and the uprights, allowing the arches to perform limited angular travels with respect to the uprights around the axis of the hinged joints. Said joint (20) comprises housings (21, 22) respectively positioned at the ends of each upright and at the ends of each restraining arch, each of the housings containing shaped slots (23), cut in the edge of the housing, which represent restraining elements for an elastic connection element (24), or flexible coupling, positioned between the housings.