Epicondylitis Strap Elbow Positioning Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing epicondylitis clasp designs face challenges in securely and easily applying pressure to the correct location on either the right or left arm for conditions like tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, often requiring adjustment and potentially damaging the axis due to improper placement.

Innovation Solution

The epicondylitis clip features a flap that covers the elbow joint, serving as a positioning aid, combined with a rotatable pad that can be attached to either side of the socket part using hook-and-loop fasteners or locking pins, ensuring the pad is securely positioned relative to the epicondyle on both arms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the epicondylitis clip is designed with a fixed pad position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be used for both right and left arms or different therapeutic positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to right and left armVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is integrated with the mounting part as a unified assembly that can be rotated together, combining the pad attachment mechanism with the positioning function to enable bidirectional application without requiring separate devices for right and left arms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pad attachment position is made dynamically adjustable through rotation around the longitudinal axis of the mounting part, allowing the pad to be positioned for either right or left arm application while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If considerable pressure is exerted on the affected area via the pad, then the therapeutic effect is achieved, but the axis of the pad may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidaxis durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The correct positioning of the pad on the epicondyle is established beforehand through the positioning aid (flap with hole), ensuring that the therapeutic pressure is applied accurately to the intended location, which prevents the need for adjustments that could damage the axis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning function is transferred from the pad-axis mechanical connection to a separate positioning aid (flap with hole), replacing the mechanical positioning role with a geometric constraint that does not involve the load-bearing axis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the clip is placed on the arm and then adjusted to the correct position, then the correct therapeutic location is achieved, but the axis of the pad is placed under considerable load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidaxis load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning aid (flap with hole)预先 guides the correct placement of the clip on the arm before the pad is attached, ensuring accurate positioning is achieved during the initial application rather than through subsequent adjustments that would load the axis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pad is rotatably attached to the clip, then it can be positioned for right or left arm, but the axis may be damaged during repeated application and repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverepositionabilityVSAvoidaxis reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The correct position is predetermined by the positioning aid geometry, allowing the pad to be accurately repositioned on either arm without requiring forceful adjustments that would damage the axis during repeated applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting part serves multiple functions: it provides the structural support for the pad, enables rotation for bidirectional application, and incorporates the positioning aid function, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms that would add stress to the axis

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

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

This design facilitates easy and secure application of the epicondylitis clip to the correct location on either arm, reducing the risk of damage and allowing a single adaptable brace to address various arm complaints, ensuring consistent therapeutic pressure without needing repositioning.

Implementation Method 1

The holding means can be formed by a hook-and-loop fastener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHook-and-loop fastener: Velcro

Implementation Method 2

it is also possible to form the holding means as locking pins and these receiving bores

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

The pad is rotatably attached to the clip by means of an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pad, so that it can be brought into the position with regard to its elongated design, in which she exerts pressure on the epicondyle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2184040B1Epicondylitis strap
Publication Date: 2013.05.15 BAUERFEIND GMBH & CO
  • EP2184040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2184040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2184040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an epicondylitis brace, the arm-enclosing part of which can be tightened by means of a continuously adjustable retaining strap and which has a pad on its inner side for applying pressure to a point required for pressure. This pad is attached to the arm-enclosing part as an elongated cushion. The opening of the arm-enclosing part, opposite the point bridged by the retaining strap, has a flap that, when the arm-enclosing part is applied, covers the elbow joint and, by means of a recess for the elbow, encompasses the elbow in such a way that, when the arm-enclosing part is applied, the flap, guided by the elbow, acts as a positioning aid to position the arm-enclosing part. The arm-enclosing part can be applied to either the right or left arm using the positioning aid and has a corresponding attachment point for application to the right or left arm.On the inside of each left arm, there is a receptacle for the pad, via which the pad is optionally detachably attached to the mounting part by means of retaining means in such a way that the mounting part sits in the therapeutically required position of the pad on both the right and left arm.