Dual Knee Pad Support for Contracture Patients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical knee supports in standing frames can cause dislocation of the knee joint in patients with flexion contracture, failing to provide adequate support for effective verticalization and preparation for walking without excessive strain.

Innovation Solution

A knee support system with two rotatable and pivotable knee pads attached to L-shaped brackets, allowing adjustable positioning and angle settings to accommodate the shape of the leg, providing dual-axis support and protection against varus or valgus deformities, and enabling straightening of the hip and knee joints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single knee pad is used in typical knee supports, then the structure is simple, but it causes dislocation of the knee joint in patients with flexion contracture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknee support structureVSAvoidknee joint stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single knee pad is divided into two separate knee pads (first knee pad and second knee pad) positioned at different locations. The first knee pad is attached to the first L-shaped bracket and the second knee pad is attached to the second L-shaped bracket, allowing each pad to independently support different aspects of the knee joint and prevent dislocation while maintaining joint stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a double knee pad system with adjustable positioning is implemented, then knee joint stability and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to leg shapeVSAvoidknee support mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The knee pads are made dynamically adjustable through rotatable attachments to the L-shaped brackets and pivotable couplings. The first knee pad can rotate around the first axis and pivot relative to the first bracket, while the second knee pad can rotate around the second axis and pivot relative to the second bracket. This allows the knee support system to adapt to different leg shapes and positions while providing stable support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If knee pads are made pivotable with slidable and pivotable couplings, then ease of adjustment improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of knee padsVSAvoidcoupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism adds rotational and pivoting dimensions to the knee pad attachment. The first slidable and pivotable coupling allows the first knee pad to move along the first axis and pivot relative to the first bracket, while the second slidable and pivotable coupling allows the second knee pad to move along the second axis and pivot relative to the second bracket. This multi-dimensional adjustment capability enables easy adaptation to different leg configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4238544B1A standing frame and a knee support for a standing frame
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 LIW CARE TECH
  • EP4238544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4238544B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4238544B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A knee support for a standing frame, the knee support comprising a supporting plate (50) for attaching the knee support to the standing frame; a first knee pad (30) rotatably attached to a first L-shaped bracket (31) on its shorter arm; a second knee pad (40) rotatably attached to a second L-shaped bracket (41) on its shorter arm; wherein the longer arm of the first bracket (31) is pivotably attached to the supporting plate (50) near the first end thereof by means of a first holder (32), and the longer arm of the second bracket (41) is pivotably attached to the supporting plate (50) near its second end by means of a second holder (42), so that the first knee pad (30) is located above the second knee pad (40).