Elastic Shoulder Brace With Reconfigurable Anatomic Interaction Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic braces for joints are not versatile enough to address both stabilization and immobilization needs for sports injuries and pathological conditions like hemiplegia/hemiparesis, requiring separate braces and lacking adaptability to varying injury intensities and positions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, multi-layer elastic brace with an anatomic interaction element that can be manually configured for different mechanical actions, allowing for both stabilization and traction functions, adaptable to various joint requirements and sizes, and easy to apply independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate braces are used for sports injuries and pathological conditions, then each brace can be optimized for its specific function, but the user must purchase and manage multiple braces, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic brace is designed with a universal structure that can perform multiple functions: it provides stabilization for sports injuries through its main body and closing means, and simultaneously enables traction action for pathological conditions like hemiplegia through the addition of an anatomic interaction element. This single device replaces the need for separate braces for different medical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is divided into distinct functional modules: a main body with closing means for stabilization, and a separate anatomic interaction element with multiple end portions that can be selectively positioned. This segmentation allows the user to configure the brace differently depending on whether sports injury stabilization or pathological traction is needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single brace is designed to provide both stabilization and traction actions, then versatility and cost-effectiveness improve, but the device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anatomic interaction element is designed to be movable and reconfigurable, allowing users to manually position its end portions at different locations on the arm according to their specific needs. The element can be moved between various configurations to provide either stabilization or traction actions, making the device adaptable without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is designed to be easily configured by the user themselves without requiring professional assistance. The anatomic interaction element can be manually positioned and secured using simple fastening means, allowing patients to adjust the brace for different conditions independently.
3Force
If the brace structure is made more rigid to provide consistent traction action for pathological conditions, then the traction effectiveness improves, but the comfort and ease of application decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The brace utilizes the elastic properties of the material to provide consistent traction force. The elastic nature of the brace allows it to maintain a steady tensile force on the arm without requiring a rigid structure, thereby preserving comfort and ease of application while still achieving the necessary therapeutic traction effect.
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
The brace provides a versatile, cost-effective, and comfortable solution for joints, enabling both stabilization and traction actions based on the specific pathology, improving practicality and adaptability to different injury types and severities.
Implementation Method 1
a main portion made of elasticated fabric to be worn by the user so as to be wrapped around the area corresponding to the deltoid (shoulder)
Implementation Method 2
The strip is generally adjusted through traction and anchoring systems, for example using Velcro to adapt the tensile force to the size of the user
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
An elastic brace (1) comprising: a main body (2), made of flexible material at least partially wrappable around a respective joint to be treated; closing means (3) coupled to said main body (2) to engage said main body (2) in a stable way onto the joint; and an anatomic interaction element (4) that can be associated with said main body (2) in a plurality of operating configurations each of which corresponds to a respective mechanical action that the brace (1) performs on the joint.