Twist-Adjustable Elbow Brace for Stable Range-of-Motion Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elbow braces fail to accommodate the complex anatomical motion of the elbow, leading to slippage and diminished rehabilitation efficacy due to their inability to mimic the ball and socket-like motion of the elbow joint.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic elbow brace design featuring an elongated forearm and upper arm struts, pivot joints, slidable and rotatable cuffs, and spools that allow for adjustable angular positioning to match the range of motion, with optional features like sliding slots and axially rotating sleeves to enhance flexibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional elbow brace uses a simple hinge mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the brace cannot accommodate the complex anatomical motion of the elbow joint
Solution Approach 1:
The brace divides the movement control into multiple independent components: a hinge mechanism for flexion-extension motion and a separate rotation mechanism for pronation-supination motion. This segmentation allows each mechanism to handle one degree of freedom independently, achieving complex anatomical motion accommodation while keeping individual mechanism complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including rotatable cuffs that can pivot to accommodate changes in forearm position, and adjustable straps that can be repositioned to maintain proper fit during movement. These dynamic features allow the brace to adapt to the complex, multi-axis motion of the elbow joint throughout the range of motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the brace uses tight fitment with multiple strapped cuffs, then the stability of the brace is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to difficulty in adjusting for complex motion
Solution Approach 1:
The cuffs are designed with rotation capability that allows them to dynamically adjust their orientation as the forearm moves through pronation and supination. This dynamic rotation maintains proper alignment and fit stability without requiring manual re-adjustment of the straps, making the brace easier to operate while maintaining stable fitment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable cuff mechanism automatically adjusts its position in response to forearm movement, providing self-adjusting fitment stability without requiring user intervention. The mechanism serves itself by using the movement forces to maintain proper alignment throughout the range of motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If the brace uses a fixed hinge mechanism, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability is reduced due to slippage during complex motion
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the hinge mechanism (for flexion-extension) from the rotation mechanism (for pronation-supination), each component can be manufactured with high precision for its specific function while the combined system maintains reliable alignment during complex motion. The segmentation prevents the accumulation of alignment errors that would occur in a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable cuff mechanism dynamically maintains proper alignment between the brace components and the anatomy during movement, compensating for any minor manufacturing variations. This dynamic alignment maintenance ensures reliable performance even with standard manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic elbow brace having a forearm strut hinged to an upper arm strut, with two cuffs that are attached and slidable to the forearm strut, and a third cuff attached to the upper arm strut. First and second rotatable spools are positioned at the strut pivot. A lace, cable or wire interconnects the forearm and/or upper arm struts to the first spool, and another lace, cable or wire interconnects the forearm and/or upper arm struts to the second spool. Rotating the first and second spools tensions the laces, cables or wires to set an angular position between the forearm and upper arm struts corresponding to range of motion (ROM) limits for the brace. Attachment straps further secure the cuffs and the brace to the wearer's arm.