Contralateral Shoulder Strap Orthosis Eliminates Neck Pain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder orthoses are bulky and use shoulder straps that can cause neck pain and discomfort due to their design, which complicates application and provides inadequate support and immobilization for shoulder injuries or post-surgical recovery.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder immobilizing apparatus featuring a forearm sling with adjustable straps and a contralateral strap holder that wraps around the opposite shoulder, eliminating the need for neck straps by distributing support across the pectoral, scapular, and underarm regions, allowing for comfortable and versatile immobilization without neck strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shoulder straps are used to provide shoulder support and immobilization, then the shoulder can be stabilized in the desired treatment position, but the straps exert substantial force on the user's neck causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the neck strap component from the shoulder orthosis design. Instead of using straps that wrap around the neck, the device uses a circumferential shoulder strap that wraps around the shoulder itself, eliminating the source of neck pain while maintaining shoulder immobilization through the forearm sling and shoulder strap configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a circumferential shoulder strap as an intermediary structure that distributes the immobilization force around the shoulder's pectoral, scapular, and underarm regions rather than concentrating it on the neck. This mediator structure provides the necessary support while avoiding harmful pressure points
2Reliability
If multiple shoulder straps are used to improve support and distribution, then shoulder immobilization is enhanced, but the device becomes more complex and confusing for users to put on
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the shoulder support function into two distinct components: a forearm sling for distal support and a circumferential shoulder strap for proximal support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing the overall complexity compared to multiple overlapping straps
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential shoulder strap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shoulder support, distributes force across multiple body regions (pectoral, scapular, underarm), and eliminates the need for separate neck straps. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed
3Reliability
If conventional shoulder orthoses are designed with rigid structures to provide stable immobilization, then the shoulder is securely stabilized, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses flexible fabric straps and slings instead of rigid structural components. The forearm sling and circumferential shoulder strap are constructed from flexible materials that can conform to the user's body contours, providing necessary support through tension and distribution rather than rigid constraint, thereby reducing weight and bulk
Data Source
AI summary
A shoulder-immoblizing apparatus includes a forearm sling. The forearm sling is configured to receive an elbow, forearm and wrist of a first arm of a user and includes a first fastener configured for fastening a posterior strap to a proximal portion adjacent to the elbow, a second fastener configured for fastening an anterior strap to a distal portion adjacent to the wrist, and a contralateral strap holder. The contralateral strap holder includes a circumferential shoulder strap configured to wrap around a shoulder of a second arm of the user to form a substantially ellipsoid opening that seats against a pectoral region, a scapular region and one of an underarm region or a lateral outside portion of the shoulder of the user's second arm. The posterior and anterior straps each have swivel fasteners rotatably coupled to respective posterior and anterior portions of the circumferential shoulder strap. Related methods are also provided.