Elastomeric Spinal Decompression Device with Adjustable Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal decompression devices are complex, cumbersome, and often require trained personnel or active patient participation, which contradicts the goal of muscle relaxation and lengthening during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A spinal decompression device featuring a first and second load line with an elastomeric member in between, where the elastomeric member has a lower linear elastic modulus than the load lines, allowing for adjustable tension and ease of use, including a buckle for tension adjustment and a release line for reducing tension when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal decompression devices are used, then decompression therapy can be provided, but the devices are complex and cumbersome requiring trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: head attachment means, anchor attachment means, elastomeric member, and adjustment means. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the overall system to be complex yet manageable through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric member acts as an intermediary between the head attachment and anchor attachment, providing elastic deformation to maintain constant force while accommodating patient movement. This mediator simplifies the force transmission mechanism
2Reliability
If traditional spinal decompression devices are used, then decompression therapy can be provided, but the devices are not readily portable
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts and eliminates heavy mechanical components, motors, and power sources from traditional decompression systems. The elastomeric member provides the necessary force storage and transmission without requiring external power, making the device lightweight and portable
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric member is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, reducing the overall complexity and weight of the permanent device structure
3Ease of operation
If traditional spinal decompression devices are used, then decompression therapy can be provided, but active patient participation is required which contradicts muscle relaxation goals
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric member is pre-stretched and secured at specific elongations during setup, creating a self-regulating system. As the patient's spine decompresses and lengthens, the elastomeric member automatically maintains appropriate tension without requiring patient adjustment efforts
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the elastomeric member from a relaxed state to a pre-stretched state during setup. This parameter change stores elastic potential energy that automatically translates to therapeutic force during treatment, eliminating the need for active patient participation
4Adaptability or versatility
If the elastomeric member has low elastic modulus for flexibility, then it accommodates patient movement, but it may not provide sufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric member is pre-stretched to a specific elongation during device setup, storing elastic potential energy before treatment begins. This preliminary action ensures that when treatment starts, the member is already in a state to provide the necessary decompression force while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines materials with different elastic moduli: the elastomeric member with low modulus for flexibility and the load lines with high modulus for force transmission. This composite approach allows each material to optimize its properties for its specific function
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 device provides a simple, portable, and effective means for spinal decompression that maintains constant force on the patient's head, accommodating slight movements while reducing the need for active patient effort and trained personnel, thus enhancing ease of use and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
positioning the patient laying supine to place the device in tension with the elastomeric member stretched in elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a device for use with a patient. The device includes a first load line including an anchor attachment end and a first inline end. The anchor attachment end is sized and configured to be attachable in a terminating manner to an anchor object. The device further includes a second load line including a head attachment end and a second inline end. The head attachment end is sized and configured to attach to a head of the patient. The device further includes an elastomeric member disposed between and attached to the first and second inline ends. The elastomeric member has a significantly lower linear elastic modulus than each of the first and second load lines. The device further includes an adjustment element sized and configured to adjust the tension in an effective tension length of the device.