Orthopedic Brace Skeleton with Four Degrees of Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic braces are uncomfortable, lack sufficient degrees of freedom, and have limited sizes, shapes, and orientations, making them inadequate for effectively supporting and stabilizing weight-bearing joints, particularly in cases of arthritis or joint injuries.
Innovation Solution
A support device with a skeleton structure providing four degrees of freedom, including flexion/extension, adduction/abduction, translation, and rotation, achieved through a combination of arms, hinges, and a wagon and rail system, allowing for customizable fit and enhanced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing orthopedic braces are used to stabilize joints, then joint stabilization is achieved, but comfort and mobility are compromised due to insufficient degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The brace incorporates four degrees of freedom (flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, rotation, and translation) that allow the structure to dynamically adapt to natural joint movements. This dynamic design enables the brace to maintain joint stabilization while accommodating physiological motion patterns, thereby improving comfort and mobility without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is divided into multiple independent segments connected by joints that correspond to anatomical landmarks. Each segment can move independently within its degree of freedom, allowing the brace to conform to complex joint geometries and movement patterns while maintaining overall structural stability for effective joint support
2Ease of manufacture
If existing orthopedic braces are designed with fixed structures, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different joint sizes, shapes, and orientations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brace employs universal joint designs and standardized connection interfaces that can accommodate multiple joint types and configurations. The four-degree-of-freedom mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously (stabilization, alignment, motion control), allowing a single design platform to be adapted to various joint sizes, shapes, and orientations through adjustable parameters rather than requiring entirely different brace designs
Solution Approach 2:
The brace incorporates adjustable parameters including link lengths, joint angles, and positioning mechanisms that can be modified to match individual patient anatomy. These parameter changes enable the same basic structure to adapt to different joint geometries and movement characteristics while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized components
Data Source
AI summary
A support device comprising at least one skeleton structure and at least two coupling articles, wherein each of the two coupling articles are connected to an end section of the skeleton structure, such that the support device includes at least four degrees of freedom.