Adjustable Slider Equinus Brace Knee Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current night splints and braces for treating ankle equinus fail to effectively lock the knee in full extension, leading to incomplete stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle and reduced compliance due to discomfort and complexity, which affects the treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A brace comprising an elongated rod, adjustable slider, clamp, and footplate that locks the knee in extension while allowing adjustable dorsiflexion of the ankle, featuring a wedge and negative heel rocker sole to accommodate different leg lengths and provide comfortable, targeted muscle stretching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current night splints and braces are used to treat ankle equinus, then the ankle can be stretched, but the knee cannot be locked in full extension, resulting in incomplete stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a footplate for ankle support, an elongated rod for knee extension, and an adjustable slider for length customization. This segmentation allows each component to independently perform its specific function, ensuring the knee can be locked in full extension while the ankle receives targeted stretching.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates an adjustable slider that can be positioned at different locations along the elongated rod, allowing dynamic adaptation to different leg lengths and user needs. This dynamic adjustability ensures proper fit and effectiveness for each user while maintaining the knee extension locking function.
2Reliability
If current night splints and braces are made cumbersome to ensure proper support, then stretching effectiveness improves, but user compliance decreases due to discomfort and difficulty in wear
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides localized support and stretching at specific areas: the footplate offers targeted ankle support, the elongated rod provides knee extension, and the adjustable slider customizes the length. This localized approach ensures effectiveness while reducing overall bulk and discomfort, improving user compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable slider allows users to modify the device length parameter to match their specific leg measurements, creating a custom fit that improves comfort and compliance. The device can be adjusted to accommodate different user sizes without compromising stretching effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the device structure is simplified to improve comfort and compliance, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to lock knee in full extension and provide targeted stretching is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses simple segmented components (footplate, elongated rod, adjustable slider) that are easy to assemble and wear while maintaining the necessary functionality for knee extension locking and ankle stretching. The modular design keeps the structure simple yet effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable slider acts as an intermediary component that connects the footplate to the elongated rod, providing a simple mechanism for length adjustment while maintaining the structural integrity needed for knee extension locking. This intermediary element simplifies the overall design without compromising functionality.
4Reliability
If overnight wear is required for effective treatment, then stretching effectiveness improves, but loss of time increases due to disrupted sleep and reduced compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable slider allows the device to be customized for each user's leg length, creating a perfect fit that improves comfort during wear. This dynamic customization reduces the need for overnight wear and allows users to wear the device for shorter, more manageable periods without sleep disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The device parameters can be adjusted to match individual user needs, allowing for optimized wear duration and timing. Users can adjust the device to their specific requirements, enabling effective stretching without compromising sleep quality or requiring mandatory overnight wear.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and processes used to treat ankle equinus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a brace and the corresponding method of use to treat equinus by stretching the Gastrocnemius muscle.