Elastomeric Knee Brace for Joint Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee braces are bulky and inconvenient for everyday wear, failing to provide effective pain relief and joint support due to their design, which often relies on hardware and non-uniform compression.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight knee brace featuring a flexible fabric substrate with strategically placed elastomeric members that apply non-uniform pressure to reduce joint loads and alleviate pain, incorporating a pattern of elastomeric material extending around the patella to unload specific knee compartments and resist joint extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional knee braces use hardware and rigid structures to provide joint support, then joint support effectiveness is improved, but device bulk and wearability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid hardware structures with flexible elastomeric members that conform to the knee's anatomy. These thin film-like structures provide necessary support while maintaining flexibility and reducing bulk, allowing the brace to be worn comfortably during everyday activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric members are designed with specific material properties and geometric configurations that allow them to provide structural support through elastic deformation rather than rigid resistance. By changing from rigid to elastic support mechanisms, the brace achieves joint support effectiveness with significantly reduced bulk.
2Stability of the object's composition
If knee braces use uniform compression to support the joint, then joint stability is improved, but pain relief effectiveness is worsened due to inability to target specific compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric members are strategically positioned to apply compression to specific knee compartments (medial or lateral) rather than uniformly across the entire knee. This localized compression targets the affected area to unload specific compartments, providing both stability and pain relief by addressing the specific pathology.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression mechanism is divided into separate elastomeric members that can independently target different knee compartments. This segmentation allows the brace to provide differentiated compression forces to different regions of the knee, simultaneously maintaining overall joint stability while delivering targeted pain relief to specific affected areas.
3Force
If knee braces use bulky rigid structures to resist joint extension, then joint control is improved, but ease of wear and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric members provide extension resistance through their elastic properties rather than rigid structural resistance. This flexible approach allows the brace to control joint extension forces while maintaining comfort and ease of wear, as the material can deform with movement and conform to the body's contours.
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 effectively reduces pain and improves joint function by providing targeted compression and support without the bulk of conventional designs, making it suitable for various anatomical regions and activities.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastomeric member disposed on a first surface of the flexible fabric substrate. The elastomeric member is configured to reduce loads on the knee joint. The first elastomeric member can be configured to apply pressure non-uniformly about the wearer's patella.
Data Source
AI summary
Support braces and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A support brace includes a flexible fabric substrate and an elastomeric member disposed on the surface of the flexible fabric substrate. The elastomeric member is disposed so as to apply pressure non-uniformly about a limb or joint of the wearer, in a pattern selected to divert pain and/or reduce loads on the joint. The flexible fabric substrate can include regions having different levels of elasticity, to provide different levels of compression to different parts of the joint or limb in addition to the compression provided by the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can be deposited, screen printed, injection molded, or otherwise applied to the fabric substrate, optionally without adhesive.