Detachable Shoulder Pad Segmentation for Spinal Injury Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective shoulder pads complicate the removal process for suspected neck or cervical spine injuries, often causing secondary injuries due to the need for extensive manual stabilization and movement, which can lead to neurological deterioration and inadequate access for diagnosis and treatment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates mechanical fasteners that allow for the detachment of posterior shoulder pad portions from superior portions while the individual is in a supine position, enabling easy and safe removal without repositioning, and the option to reattach for future use, facilitating access to the neck and spine area for medical evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective shoulder pads are designed as an entire unit, then protection coverage is comprehensive, but removal becomes extremely complicated and may cause secondary injury
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder pad is divided into multiple detachable components including a front portion, rear portion, and lateral portions connected by fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows the rear portion to be detached separately from the front portion, enabling simplified removal while maintaining comprehensive protection when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear portion of the shoulder pad is designed to be extractable from the front portion through fastening mechanisms located at the front. This extraction capability allows medical personnel to remove only the necessary portions for access while leaving other protective portions in place, avoiding the need to remove the entire unit.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual stabilization is maintained during shoulder pad removal, then cervical spine stability is preserved, but the removal process requires at least four individuals and extensive time
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shoulder pad into detachable portions with fastening mechanisms, the removal process can be simplified to require fewer personnel. The segmented design allows for controlled detachment of specific portions without requiring the coordinated effort of four individuals while maintaining cervical spine stability through the controlled fastening/release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanisms are designed to be easily actuated by medical personnel, allowing the shoulder pad portions to be released with minimal manual manipulation. This self-service characteristic reduces the complexity of the removal process and decreases the number of personnel needed while maintaining stability.
3Ease of operation
If the athlete is repositioned to remove shoulder pads, then access to neck and spine area is improved, but the risk of secondary injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear portion of the shoulder pad is designed to be extractable from the front portion while the athlete remains in the supine position. This extraction provides direct access to the neck and spine areas without requiring repositioning of the athlete, thereby eliminating the risk of secondary injury associated with movement while maintaining ease of access for medical evaluation.
4Ease of operation
If cutting soft clothing and soft portions of shoulder pads is performed, then access is partially improved, but sufficient access to neck and cervical spine areas is still precluded
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder pad is segmented into front, rear, and lateral portions that can be independently detached. This segmentation provides sufficient access to the neck and cervical spine areas by allowing complete removal of the rear portion, going beyond the partial access achieved by cutting soft portions while maintaining a more controlled and less complex procedure than complete unit removal.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention concerns improved protective shoulder pads for protecting an individual wearing the protective shoulder pads against impact to the superior, anterior, posterior and/or lateral regions of the shoulder and upper arm. The improvement comprises protective shoulder pads with release mechanisms that allow the protective shoulder pads to be safely and easily removed from the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads while the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of further injuring the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads.