Corrugated Core Fixing Element for Irregular Limb Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical splints face challenges in achieving secure and precise fixation, particularly in areas with irregular shapes, where flexible fastening straps often fail to provide sufficient stability, allowing for unintended movement.
Innovation Solution
The use of a corrugated core sheet with corrugations oriented parallel to the preferred direction, allowing for deformation and adaptation to irregular shapes while maintaining rigidity, combined with detachable fastening means like hook-and-loop systems or Velcro, ensures secure and adjustable fixation without additional aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible fastening straps are used to secure medical splints, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of fixation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is divided into two functional parts: a corrugated core sheet providing structural stability and rigidity, and a textile cover layer providing flexibility and ease of fastening. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the core maintains fixation stability while the cover enables easy operation
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element combines two different materials with complementary properties: a corrugated core sheet (providing rigidity and stability) and a textile cover layer (providing flexibility and ease of fastening). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating both stable fixation and easy operation into a single element
2Adaptability or versatility
If corrugations of the core sheet are oriented transverse to the rail direction, then adaptability to irregular shapes is improved, but rigidity in the preferred direction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugations are oriented transverse to the rail direction, creating local flexibility in the transverse direction for adapting to irregular body shapes, while the longitudinal orientation of the corrugated structure maintains overall rigidity in the preferred (longitudinal) direction. Each region of the core sheet has different mechanical properties tailored to local requirements
3Ease of operation
If a flat sheet metal core is used, then ease of deformation is improved, but rigidity and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The core sheet is given a corrugated (wavy) cross-sectional shape instead of being flat. This curvature provides structural rigidity and resistance to deformation while still allowing the element to be manually molded to irregular shapes. The corrugated structure acts like an I-beam, providing high strength-to-weight ratio
4Stability of the object's composition
If the fixing element is made highly rigid to prevent movement, then stability of fixation is improved, but adaptability to irregular shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element exhibits dynamic mechanical properties - it can be easily deformed during the application phase to adapt to irregular body shapes, then maintains rigid stable fixation once applied. The corrugated structure allows temporary deformation during molding but provides stable rigidity during the fixation phase
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
This solution provides enhanced stability and adaptability to irregular contours, preventing unwanted movement and allowing for easy, tool-free adjustment, while maintaining comfort and versatility for various applications beyond medical splints.
Implementation Method 1
the fixing element can absorb tensile and compressive forces in the preferred direction without changing its length
Implementation Method 2
the waviness of the core sheet allows it to be deformed, which means that the fixing element can be easily adapted to irregular shapes by hand
Implementation Method 3
the fastening means are designed in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastener
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a fixing element (33) extending as a flat, particularly lamellar element along a preferred direction (34) and comprising a corrugated sheet metal core (18) as a central component, said core providing the fixing element (33) with the characteristic of being integrally rigid and permanently deformable by hand, and said core being covered by a cover (36, 37). For such a fixing element, a large range of use is achieved in that the corrugations of the corrugated core sheet (18) are oriented substantially parallel to the preferred direction (34), and that means (38, 39) for releasably attaching the fixing element (33) are disposed on the fixing element (33).