Conical Footplate Orthopaedic Device for Precise Dorsiflexion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for stretching and strengthening the Achilles tendon and calf muscles, such as the US2003/073550 foot tendon exercising apparatus, often allow for incorrect positioning of the feet, leading to discomfort and ineffective exercise.
Innovation Solution
A leg foot orthopaedic treatment device with a double-sided, inclined treatment surface that guides the user's feet to a precise dorsiflexion position using conical surfaces and guide surfaces, ensuring correct foot placement and maintaining the prescribed angle even if the feet are abducted, allowing for adjustable treatment angles and use in daily activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a planar tilting footplate is used, then the device allows for simple structure and ease of manufacture, but it permits incorrect positioning of the feet which leads to discomfort and ineffective exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conical surface instead of a planar surface for the footplate. This curved geometry naturally guides the feet to the correct position through its shape, ensuring proper dorsiflexion angle without requiring complex positioning mechanisms or precise manufacturing tolerances. The conical shape provides intuitive tactile feedback to users for correct placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide surfaces as intermediary elements between the footplate and the user's feet. These guide surfaces actively direct the feet into the correct position, mediating the interaction between user and device to ensure proper alignment. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall design while achieving precise foot positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide surfaces and conical surfaces are added to ensure correct foot placement, then foot positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide surfaces and conical treatment surface into a single integrated structure. Rather than adding separate components, the guiding function and treatment function are combined in one piece, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining precise foot positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides foot placement, maintains proper dorsiflexion angle, and provides the treatment surface for stretching. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guiding mechanisms, reducing device complexity while achieving accurate positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the treatment surface is fixed at a specific angle, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot be adjusted for different treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed-angle treatment surface to an adjustable-angle system. The treatment surface can be positioned at multiple different angles relative to the support structure, allowing dynamic adaptation to different treatment requirements while maintaining structural stability through defined positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the treatment device into separable components that can be independently positioned. The treatment surface is segmented from the support structure, allowing it to be adjusted to different angles and configurations. This segmentation enables versatility while each component maintains its structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A leg foot orthopaedic treatment device assembly (10) includes a leg foot orthopaedic treatment device (11). The device (11) includes a ground or floor engaging support structure (12) which supports an inclined treatment surface (14) on which, in use, a user stands in a treatment position. The treatment surface (14) is inclined at a treatment angle (30) to a ground engaging plane (21) so as to support the feet of the user at the treatment angle (30) relative to the ground engaging plane (21). The treatment surface (30) slopes downwardly and inwardly towards at least one at least notional vertex (32).