Electric Spine Back Rack with Spindle Nodules for Facet Joint Decompression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seat structures fail to address back pain caused by compression of facet joints, leading to stiffness and discomfort in individuals engaging in sedentary activities, such as office work, driving, or aviation, due to inadequate decompression of the spine during passive seating.

Innovation Solution

An electric spine back rack device with a rectangular frame and spindle nodules that apply mechanical pressure to decompress facet joints, conforming to the natural curvature of the spine and adjustable to individual tissue thickness, providing relief through mechanical decompression in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional seat structures are used, then seating is simple and inexpensive, but back pain occurs due to compression of facet joints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveback pain from facet joint compressionVSAvoidseat structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The back rack is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different spinal regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), with each segment containing rods and spindle nodules positioned at specific intervals to target individual facet joints throughout the spine

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spindle nodules serve as intermediary elements that transfer mechanical force from the seat structure to the facet joints, acting as mediators between the external seating environment and the internal spinal structures to achieve decompression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If passive seating occurs, then convenience is improved, but facet joints become compressed causing back pain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating convenienceVSAvoidfacet joint compression
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back rack is pre-configured with rods and spindle nodules positioned to align with facet joints before seating occurs, so that decompressive force is immediately applied as soon as the user sits down, preventing compression rather than correcting it afterward

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies periodic mechanical pressure through the spindle nodules against the facet joints, creating rhythmic decompressive cycles that mimic natural movement patterns and prevent sustained compression during prolonged seating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If spindle nodules apply mechanical pressure to decompress facet joints, then back pain is alleviated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveback pain reliefVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The back rack structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the spine, positions spindle nodules to target facet joints, and transmits mechanical pressure for decompression, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows adjustment of mechanical pressure parameters applied by the spindle nodules to match individual variations in tissue thickness and muscle mass, optimizing decompression effectiveness across different users without requiring complex customization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively alleviates back pain by decompressing facet joints, improving spinal flexibility, mobility, and range of motion, providing relief from skeletal pain and tension, and can be integrated into various seating types, including automobiles and office chairs.

Implementation Method 1

an electric source for providing electric power to create mechanical pressure in said nodules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic actuation: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

an electric source for providing electric power to create mechanical pressure in said nodules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4331551A1Electric spine back rack orthopedic apparatus for alleviating back pain and decompressing facet joints and spine vertebras
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 LUKLINSKI BOHDAN MIROSLAW
  • EP4331551A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4331551A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4331551A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This present invention relates to an electric spine back pain relieving device. The device has a fixed frame that is configured to be integrated or retrofitted to backrest of a chair for providing support to spine of a user. The device has a frame and has an integrated electric source for providing mechanical pressure on facet joints or vertebras of spine of a human. The rigid frame carries a plurality of parallel rods attached to and crossing the space between the two longer arms of the frame. Each of the rod in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions carry a pair of barrel-shaped or spherical spindle nodules that are positioned below the transverse processes of the spine for alleviating pain. The electric source can be selectively activated using a push button and the device works on one of the two modes: single action mode and block action mode.