Low-Friction Gliding Surface for Home Physical Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic devices are inadequate for providing a simple, convenient, safe, and economical means to maintain or increase range-of-motion and strength in joints affected by surgery, arthritis, or general mobility issues, particularly for knee, ankle, shoulder, and elbow areas, leading to costly home care and potential blood clots due to inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A portable physical therapy apparatus designed for the foot and hand, featuring low-friction sliding surfaces and attachable resistance bands, allowing controlled movement and strengthening exercises that can be performed at home, reducing the need for costly physical therapy sessions and promoting blood flow to prevent blood clots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a person visits an outpatient clinic to see a physical therapist, then range-of-motion and strength can be improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables patients to perform physical therapy exercises independently at home without requiring professional physical therapist intervention. The apparatus includes all necessary components (gliding surface, resistance bands, exercise instructions) for self-directed therapy, eliminating the need for costly outpatient clinic visits while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a person remains sedentary due to surgical recovery or mobility issues, then joint protection is achieved, but blood clots may develop
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces controlled dynamic movement to joints that would otherwise remain static during recovery. The gliding surface allows smooth, low-friction movement while resistance bands provide controlled opposition, enabling patients to move joints through safe ranges of motion that prevent blood clots without over-stressing healing tissues or compromised joints.
3Reliability
If traditional therapeutic devices are used, then range-of-motion can be improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The physical therapy system is divided into separate, simple components: a gliding surface for movement, resistance bands for strengthening, and exercise instruction materials. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and affordable while combining them to create an effective therapy program, avoiding the need for complex, expensive integrated machines.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If post-surgical patients receive gentle care, then joint damage is prevented, but range-of-motion remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gliding surface acts as an intermediary between the patient and the joint, providing a smooth, low-friction interface that enables movement without direct stress on the healing joint. The resistance bands serve as a second intermediary, providing controlled opposition that challenges muscles without compromising the surgical site, thus expanding range-of-motion while maintaining joint protection.
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
The apparatus effectively increases range-of-motion, muscle strength, and blood flow, reducing the risk of blood clots and lowering home care costs by enabling self-directed therapy in a non-invasive and gentle manner, suitable for various populations including post-surgical and elderly individuals.
Implementation Method 1
facilitates controlled, low friction sliding on flat surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A physical therapy and exercising apparatus comprising an upper surface configured to fit a person's foot or hand, and a bottom surface, wherein, when the apparatus is placed on a flat surface, only a portion of the bottom surface touches the flat surface, such that low-friction gliding on the flat surface, of the person's foot or hand and apparatus, together, is facilitated.