Compressive Sleeve Pads for Joint Brace Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical joint braces often fail to provide a secure fit, leading to slippage, discomfort, and increased risk of re-injury due to improper positioning, which results in decreased muscle blood flow, premature fatigue, and restricted athletic performance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sleeve with compressive pads on either side of a joint, which applies pressure to secure a mechanical joint brace in place, reducing slippage and irritation by distributing the load and increasing blood flow, using a combination of pads and fastening systems to maintain the brace's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mechanical joint brace is tightened to maintain proper positioning, then the stability and positioning accuracy of the brace is improved, but the intramuscular pressure increases causing decreased local muscle blood flow and muscular oxygenation
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pad acts as an intermediary layer between the mechanical joint brace and the user's body. It absorbs and distributes the pressure from the brace, preventing direct transmission of high localized pressure to the muscle tissue. This mediator function maintains brace stability while protecting against harmful pressure effects on blood flow and muscle oxygenation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel pad changes the pressure distribution parameters by converting concentrated point pressures into distributed area pressures. This parameter transformation allows the brace to maintain its positioning function while significantly reducing the peak intramuscular pressure that would otherwise occur at contact points, thereby preserving blood flow and muscular oxygenation.
2Reliability
If the mechanical joint brace is tightened to prevent slippage, then the reliability of the brace is improved, but discomfort and irritation occur due to excessive pressure on the body
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pad transforms the pressure parameters from high-intensity concentrated forces to low-intensity distributed forces. This parameter change enables the brace to remain securely fitted without creating uncomfortable or irritating pressure points on the skin and underlying tissues.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the mechanical joint brace is loosened to improve comfort and blood flow, then the harmful effects on muscle oxygenation are reduced, but the brace slips and loses proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pad serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between brace tightness and pressure on muscle tissue. It allows the brace to maintain sufficient tension for positioning stability while preventing harmful pressure transmission, thereby preserving blood flow and muscle oxygenation without sacrificing positioning accuracy.
4Reliability
If the mechanical joint brace is worn to stabilize the joint, then the reliability of joint protection is improved, but non-compliance occurs due to discomfort and performance inhibition
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pad acts as a comfort-enhancing intermediary that resolves the conflict between joint stabilization and user comfort. By eliminating pressure-related discomfort and performance inhibition, it increases user willingness to wear the brace consistently, thereby improving compliance without reducing the joint stabilization effectiveness.
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 system enhances the stability and comfort of mechanical joint braces, reducing the risk of re-injury by maintaining proper positioning, improving blood flow, and minimizing muscle deformation and fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
The gel pad may be configured to reduce the pressure applied by a mechanical joint brace
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve may include a first portion which may apply compressive pressure on a proximate side of the joint, a second portion which may be disposed around the joint, and a third portion which may apply compressive pressure on a distal side of the joint
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user is disclosed. A sleeve may fit around, and to either side, of a user's joint. The sleeve may include a first portion which applies compressive pressure on a proximate side of the joint, a second portion disposed around the joint, and a third portion which applies compressive pressure on a distal side of the joint. A first set of pads may be disposed and compressed between at least a first portion of a mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the proximate side of the joint. A second set of pads may be disposed and compressed between at least a second portion of the mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the distal side of the joint.