Epicondylitis Pressure Pad With Five-Segment Symmetric Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing epicondylitis braces and bandages require repositioning to effectively treat tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, often resulting in incorrect application, and fail to provide simultaneous treatment for both conditions without laborious reassembly.

Innovation Solution

A pad with five symmetrically positioned pressure pads that can be used on either arm without repositioning, allowing for simultaneous treatment of tennis elbow and golfer's elbow by targeting specific nerve endings and trigger points on the elbow, integrated with a reversible attachment system for ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pad is designed with specific positioning for tennis elbow treatment, then tennis elbow treatment effectiveness is improved, but the pad cannot be used for golfer's elbow without repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment coverageVSAvoidrepositioning requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is designed with five pressure pads arranged in a specific geometric pattern (one central pressure pad surrounded by four corner pressure pads forming a rectangle) that can simultaneously treat both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow without requiring repositioning. This universal design allows the same pad to function for multiple indications by providing pressure points that cover trigger points for both conditions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The pad divides the treatment area into multiple discrete pressure points (five pressure pads total) rather than using a single large pressure area. This segmentation allows specific pressure pads to target specific trigger points - the central pressure pad and two corner pressure pads for tennis elbow, and the central pressure pad and two other corner pressure pads for golfer's elbow, enabling simultaneous treatment of both conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the pad is designed to treat tennis elbow, then tennis elbow pain relief is improved, but golfer's elbow treatment is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment accuracyVSAvoidindication coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pad simultaneously treats both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow indications without requiring different pads or repositioning. The five pressure pads are positioned to cover trigger points for both conditions - the central pressure pad plus two corner pressure pads for tennis elbow, and the central pressure pad plus two other corner pressure pads for golfer's elbow, making the pad reliable for both indications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Different pressure pads are positioned to target different local areas - the central pressure pad addresses the epicondyle area common to both conditions, while the four corner pressure pads are positioned to cover trigger points in surrounding muscles. This local quality differentiation allows the same pad structure to provide accurate treatment for both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow by engaging different pressure pads for different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the pad requires repositioning for different arms, then treatment precision is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure pad positioningVSAvoidapplication simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pad employs asymmetric positioning of the five pressure pads within the base body structure, with the central pressure pad offset from the geometric center and the four corner pressure pads forming an asymmetric rectangle. This asymmetric design allows the pad to maintain correct orientation and pressure distribution on both right and left arms without requiring repositioning or rotation, as the asymmetric pattern naturally adapts to the anatomy of either arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pressure pads are added to treat both conditions, then treatment versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindication coverageVSAvoidpad structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pad uses exactly five pressure pads - one central pressure pad and four corner pressure pads - which is the minimum number needed to treat both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow simultaneously. This segmented approach with a limited number of discrete pressure points provides treatment versatility for both conditions while keeping the device structure simple and manageable, avoiding unnecessary complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3402447B1Epicondylitis pressure pad
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 BAUERFEIND GMBH & CO
  • EP3402447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3402447B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3402447B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a pad having a main body, wherein the main body (100) has a first surface (101) and a second surface (102) opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface (101) of the main body (100) has five pressure paddings (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), wherein the first pressure pressure padding (10) lies at the center point of a rectangle (R), which is formed by the second pressure padding (20), the third pressure padding (30), the fourth pressure padding (40), and the fifth pressure padding (50).