Conformal Hand Brace with Adjustable Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand braces are uncomfortable, unattractive, and often not worn due to issues like sweat absorption and staining, leading to immobilization and aesthetic concerns.

Innovation Solution

A conformal hand brace with a palmar surface that closely corresponds to the patient's hand, featuring an adjustable band for customizable fit and tension, designed using digital representations obtained through photogrammetry and IR/visible light photography, allowing for a snug, comfortable, and ventilated fit without padding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fabric and padding are used to cover the hand brace, then the brace provides comfort and support, but the fabric absorbs sweat and liquids causing stains and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidsweat absorption and staining

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the fabric and padding layers from the hand brace design, extracting the problematic sweat-absorbing material while retaining the structural support function through the rigid brace itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from fabric/padding to rigid plastic or composite material, fundamentally altering the surface properties to be non-absorbent while maintaining support through structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a rigid structure is used to prevent the brace from moving, then the brace provides immobilization and support, but the brace becomes uncomfortable and unattractive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmobilizationVSAvoidcomfort and aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curved and contoured surfaces to the rigid brace structure, shaping it to fit the natural anatomy of the hand and wrist, which improves comfort and aesthetics while maintaining the rigid immobilization function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent varies the thickness and density of the rigid material in different regions of the brace, providing extra support where needed while creating a more ergonomic and visually appealing overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the brace is designed to fit tightly to provide support, then the brace provides proper hand support, but the brace becomes difficult to put on and remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand supportVSAvoidease of placement and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the brace into segmented sections with movable joints, allowing the brace to be collapsed or opened for easy placement on the hand, then locked into position to provide tight support during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the brace uses fixed size design, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the brace cannot accommodate swelling or atrophy of the hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of hand size changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable elements such as movable straps, telescoping sections, or ratcheting mechanisms that allow the brace size to be dynamically changed to accommodate swelling or atrophy while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9858359B2Conformal hand brace

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 3D SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A conformable hand brace includes inner surfaces for supporting thumb and palm portions of a patient's hand and an adjustable mechanism that allows the cross section of the brace to be adjusted. The design of the conformal hand brace can be automatically designed by a computer based upon anatomical measurements of a patient's hand derived from a plurality of photographs of the hand.