Dynamic Postural Contact Surfaces Without Physical Restraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current postural systems rely on physical restraints to maintain proper posture, which can inhibit the body's natural ability to achieve and maintain spontaneous alignment, leading to health and functional deficits, and fail to stimulate proper posture in individuals with varying physical, neurological, or psychological conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic postural system that applies gentle sensory stimulation to specific contact points on the body, identified through observation and characterization, to trigger and maintain upright stability and alignment without the use of restraints, utilizing a synergistic effect to promote natural posture through light pressure and intermittent contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If physical restraints (bracing, strapping, harnesses) are used to maintain proper posture, then postural alignment is improved, but the body's natural ability to achieve and maintain spontaneous alignment is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the restraining function from the system by eliminating physical restraints, bracing, and strapping. Instead of forcing the body into position through external constraints, the system extracts the supportive function and replaces it with sensory stimulation that triggers the body's own natural postural mechanisms, thereby preserving natural postural ability while maintaining alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the body to serve itself by stimulating natural postural reflexes and proprioceptive mechanisms. Through sensory input at specific contact points, the system activates the body's inherent ability to achieve and maintain proper alignment without external physical restraint, allowing the musculoskeletal system to self-regulate posture.
2Stability of the object's composition
If physical restraints are applied to force the body into proper position, then posture is corrected, but muscle resistance is stimulated which inhibits natural posture attainment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical restraints with a sensory-stimulation-based system. Instead of using mechanical force to overcome muscle resistance, the system uses sensory input at contact points to trigger neural reflexes that naturally adjust muscle tone and posture, eliminating the对抗性 force interaction between restraints and muscles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensory stimulation as an intermediary between the support system and the musculoskeletal system. Rather than direct mechanical contact that provokes resistance, the system uses sensory input at specific body points as a mediator to indirectly influence posture through the nervous system, bypassing the muscle resistance problem.
3Reliability
If bracing and strapping systems are used to support posture, then physical support is provided, but the person becomes dependent on the restraint and loses spontaneous postural ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the postural system self-service by activating the body's own postural control mechanisms through sensory stimulation. Rather than providing external mechanical support that creates dependency, the system stimulates the body's inherent proprioceptive and reflexive postural control, enabling the person to maintain spontaneous postural ability while receiving support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of postural support from mechanical restraint to sensory stimulation. By altering the mode of interaction from physical constraint to neural activation, the system maintains reliable postural support while preserving and even enhancing spontaneous postural ability, preventing the dependency that occurs with traditional bracing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If restraints are used to maintain fixed limb and joint positioning, then posture stability is achieved, but mobility and natural movement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics into the postural support system by using sensory stimulation that adapts to natural movement rather than restraining it. The contact surfaces provide intermittent sensory input that triggers postural reflexes during movement, allowing posture stability to be maintained dynamically throughout the range of motion rather than fixing joints in static positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sensory stimulation through contact surfaces that interact with the body during natural movement cycles. Rather than continuous mechanical restraint, the system provides periodic sensory input that reinforces proper posture at key moments in the movement cycle, maintaining stability while allowing free mobility between stimulations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application pertains to dynamic postural systems for improving the postural response in humans through the use of chairs, walkers, crawlers, wearing devices, harnesses, standing devices, wheelchairs, sports and work equipment or other mobility or seating devices that are designed to provide one or more contact surfaces to corresponding one or more postural contact points on the body, which stimulate proper dynamic postures and postural awareness, while allowing unrestrained movement in activity and without the requirements for physical restraint.