Cervical Spine Sliding Platform for Joint Motion and Force Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to jointly assess and treat the movement and deep musculature force of the cervical spine, lacking a single tool for both aspects, especially in guided exercises with or without therapist supervision.
Innovation Solution
A system with a sliding platform comprising two plates, a fixed and a movable plate, equipped with a distance sensor and a pneumatic system to measure sliding and force, allowing for guided exercises and autonomous treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate tools are used to assess movement and musculature force, then measurement capability is maintained, but device complexity and treatment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate assessment functions (movement range measurement and musculature force measurement) into a single integrated device. The sliding platform measures cervical spine movement range while the pneumatic system simultaneously measures musculature force, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and enabling comprehensive joint assessment in one device.
2Productivity
If manual assessment methods are used, then equipment requirements are minimized, but assessment speed and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment methods with automated electronic measurement systems. The sliding platform uses sensors to automatically track movement range, while the pneumatic system uses pressure sensors to automatically measure musculature force, significantly improving assessment speed and reliability compared to manual methods.
3Ease of operation
If supervised exercises are used, then treatment safety is improved, but treatment accessibility and autonomy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where the device provides immediate information about movement range and musculature force measurements. This allows patients to perform exercises autonomously while receiving continuous feedback on their performance, ensuring treatment safety without requiring constant therapist supervision.
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 comfortable, quick, and reliable assessment and treatment of cervical spine movement and musculature force, supporting both supervised and unsupervised exercises.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic system for determining the value of the force exerted with the head during the exercise, the pneumatic system including a two-chamber cylinder
Implementation Method 2
the distance sensor comprises an optical sensor. In this case, the optical sensor comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element
Implementation Method 3
the distance sensor comprises a magnetic or capacitive linear encoder
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the assessment and treatment of the cervical spine is provided. The system comprises a sliding platform formed by two plates, a first plate, fixed, which is arranged on a surface when the user is performing a head movement exercise, and a second plate, movable, for supporting the head during said exercise, wherein the two plates are coupled together using at least one guiding element; and a distance sensor for determining a sliding value of the second plate relative to the first plate during the exercise and/or a pneumatic system for determining the value of the force exerted with the head during the exercise, the pneumatic.