Forearm Myofascial Release Device With Angled Tissue Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for carpal tunnel, Guyon's canal, and DeQuervain's syndromes are invasive, costly, and ineffective due to a lack of understanding of the underlying myofascial restrictions, with non-surgical methods failing to address the root cause and requiring manual force application that can be imprecise.
Innovation Solution
Medical devices that apply angled forces to release myofascial restrictions using actuators to compress and stretch tissues on the forearm and wrist, addressing the underlying pathology of these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical procedures are used to treat carpal tunnel, Guyon's canal, and DeQuervain's syndromes, then the conditions can be treated, but the treatment becomes invasive, expensive, and carries risk of serious complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical myofascial release techniques with an automated mechanical system that uses actuators to apply precise forces to the forearm and wrist tissues. This substitution eliminates the need for surgical intervention while providing controlled, repeatable treatment forces that address the underlying myofascial restrictions causing carpal tunnel, Guyon's canal, and DeQuervain's syndromes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables patients to self-administer treatment at home through automated actuation mechanisms. The system independently applies the necessary forces to release myofascial restrictions without requiring continuous professional intervention, making the treatment accessible and reducing reliance on invasive surgical options.
2Ease of operation
If manual release of myofascial restrictions is performed, then the treatment can be administered, but the precision and force consistency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual therapeutic techniques with an automated mechanical system incorporating actuators that precisely control force magnitude and direction. This substitution ensures consistent, repeatable force application to specific anatomical locations, eliminating the variability inherent in manual treatment while maintaining ease of patient access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that monitor and adjust the forces applied to the patient's forearm and wrist in real-time. This feedback loop ensures that the predetermined force levels are accurately delivered, maintaining treatment precision while allowing for patient-specific adjustments.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-surgical treatments like splinting are used, then the treatment is non-invasive, but the effectiveness is reduced because they do not directly address the myofascial restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical restraint (splinting) with active mechanical force application. The automated system directly applies controlled forces to release myofascial restrictions, addressing the root cause of the condition rather than merely maintaining a fixed wrist position. This active approach maintains non-invasiveness while significantly improving treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs myofascial release before symptoms fully develop or worsen, preventing the need for more invasive treatments. By proactively addressing the underlying tissue restrictions through automated force application, the system prevents condition progression while avoiding surgical intervention.
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
These devices effectively relieve symptoms by releasing myofascial restrictions, providing a precise and comfortable treatment option that can be self-administered, reducing the need for surgical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The actuators can be used to move the contact portions towards the opposite side of the user's forearm to compress the user's forearm between the resting portion and the contact portions. The actuators can move the contact portions at angles relative to the resting portion. Accordingly, a first angular force can be applied to a first location on the user's forearm by the first contact portion and a second angular force can be applied to a second location on the user's forearm by the second contact portion.
Implementation Method 2
Because the first and second forces are applied at angles relative to the resting portion, the first and second forces can both compress and stretch the user's tissue. For example, the first actuator can cause the first contact portion to apply both a first compressive force and a first stretching force to the user's arm at the first location. Similarly, the second actuator can cause the second contact portion to apply both a second compressive force and a second stretching force to the user's arm at the second location.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for treating hand, wrist, and forearm conditions. The device may include a resting portion for receiving a first side of a user's arm, and first and second contact portions configured to contact an opposite side of the user's arm at a first location and a second location respectively. The device can have a first configuration in which the first and second contact portions apply no force or minimal force to the user's arm and a second configuration in which the first contact portion is moved away from the first configuration in a first direction to apply a first force at the first location to stretch and compress tissue in the user's arm and the second contact portion is moved away from the first configuration in a second direction to apply a second force at the second location to stretch and compress tissue in the user's arm.