Dynamic Joint Alignment Brace For Canine Hip Dysplasia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for canine hip dysplasia often rely on restrictive devices that limit mobility and may lead to further complications, such as weakening of tissues and increased risk of subluxation or luxation, while also requiring prescription medication or surgery, which can have negative health effects.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic joint alignment brace using resilient members that apply a force to urge the leg into a more desirable orientation, allowing for increased mobility and reducing the need for medication or surgery by mitigating pain and degenerative changes in the hip joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If restrictive devices are used to treat canine hip dysplasia, then joint stability is improved, but mobility is limited and tissue strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brace employs resilient members that dynamically adapt to the dog's movement, providing stabilization when needed while allowing natural range of motion. The resilient members deflect from their neutral position during movement, creating a dynamic system that balances stability and mobility rather than imposing rigid constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace changes the mechanical parameters of the joint by applying controlled forces through resilient members that can deflect and return to neutral position. This alters the joint's movement characteristics without completely restricting it, enabling improved alignment while maintaining functional mobility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If restrictive devices are used to treat canine hip dysplasia, then joint alignment is improved, but tissue strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic nature of the resilient members allows them to provide alignment correction during movement while still permitting the tissues to bear appropriate loads for strengthening. The resilient members adapt their force application based on the joint's position and movement phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient members are configured with curved geometries that allow them to deflect smoothly through ranges of motion, providing continuous alignment correction forces that guide proper joint positioning without creating stress concentration points that would weaken tissues.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid abduction devices are used, then hip joint stability is improved, but range of movement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient members create a dynamic system that provides stabilization through controlled elastic deformation rather than rigid constraints. As the dog moves through its natural range of motion, the resilient members deflect and return, maintaining joint stability while preserving full mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient members function as flexible structural elements that can bend and deflect to accommodate various positions and movements. This flexibility allows the brace to maintain hip stability through elastic restoration forces while permitting the complete natural range of motion required for normal canine function.
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 dynamic joint alignment brace provides improved mobility and stability, reducing incidents of subluxation and luxation, promoting proper alignment and strengthening of tissues, and enhancing the overall quality of life for canines by minimizing pain and the need for invasive treatments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient member deflected from its neutral position when operably secured to the animal to urge an animal's joint engagement toward a more desirable orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic joint alignment brace for an animal that is particularly suitable for reducing symptoms associated with canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and other musculoskeletal conditions that may be common in animals with a skeletal structure including canines and the like. The dynamic joint alignment brace applies a force to the animal's leg(s) in a direction that improves alignment of the leg bone(s) at the affected joint(s) throughout the range of motion of the leg(s). In disclosed embodiments, a resilient biasing structure, which is biased into a non-neutral position when worn, provides a force that persuades the animal's leg(s) into alignment with its respective joint(s).