Flexible Tether Knee Brace Boot Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Knee braces do not adequately protect ligaments from rotation-type injuries, which can occur during activities like motocross, where the foot rotates independently from the knee joint, causing strain and potential tears in ligaments such as the ACL.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a knee brace and boot connected via a flexible tether member with adjustable coupling elements that can be attached and detached, ensuring the tether is in tension during the maximum foot range of rotation relative to the knee joint, thereby limiting excessive foot rotation and preventing ligament hyperextension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a knee brace is used to protect the knee joint, then support and stress mitigation are improved, but protection against rotation-type injuries remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the knee brace and boot into an integrated system through the flexible tether member. The boot is mechanically coupled to the knee brace via the tether, creating a unified protective system that simultaneously provides knee joint support and prevents foot rotation independent of the knee, thereby resolving the contradiction between general knee protection and specific ligament protection from rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tether member acts as an intermediary element between the knee brace and boot. This tether is adjustable in length and positioned to maintain tension during foot rotation, serving as a mediator that transmits rotational constraints from the boot to the knee brace, thereby preventing ligament hyperextension while maintaining the structural integrity of both components
2Ease of operation
If the foot is allowed to rotate freely during movement, then mobility and comfort are improved, but ligament strain and hyperextension risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tether member is designed with adjustable length to dynamically adapt to the user's range of motion. The tether maintains optimal tension during normal foot rotation while allowing excessive rotation to be constrained. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to permit natural mobility within safe limits while preventing harmful ligament strain during extreme rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable length parameter of the flexible tether member allows customization based on the user's anatomical dimensions and activity requirements. By changing the tether length parameter, the system can be optimized to maintain tension during the maximum foot range of rotation, thereby preventing ligament hyperextension while preserving normal foot mobility and comfort
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a device for protecting ligaments in a knee joint of a user. The device includes a knee brace positionable about a knee joint of a user and a boot wearable on a foot of a user. Additionally, the device includes a flexible tether member including a first coupling element coupled to the knee brace and a second coupling element coupled to the boot. The boot and knee brace are attachable and detachable via the first and second coupling elements. The flexible tether member is adjustable in length to dispose the flexible tether member in tension at least in a portion of a maximum foot range of rotation, where the maximum foot range of rotation of the user's foot relative to the knee joint causes hyperextension of a knee ligament.