Grooved Orthosis Connector for Joint Stability and Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthoses and prostheses either restrict physiological movements or fail to adequately limit pathological movements, lacking the flexibility to adjust movement restrictions based on specific clinical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A connecting element with grooves arranged transversely to its longitudinal extent, allowing for adjustable flexibility and elasticity by varying groove orientation, depth, and material composition to support physiological movements while restricting pathological ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilizing elements are used in orthoses and prostheses, then joint stability is improved, but physiological movement freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the structural properties of the connecting element through grooves. The grooves alter the moment of inertia and flexibility characteristics of the rod, enabling it to provide stability in pathological directions while maintaining flexibility for physiological movements. This resolves the contradiction by changing physical parameters rather than using purely rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining a rod structure with groove features, creating a composite connecting element that exhibits anisotropic mechanical properties. The grooves create regions of different stiffness, allowing the single component to simultaneously provide stability and movement freedom in different directions, effectively resolving the rigid vs. flexible contradiction.
2Weight of moving object
If carbon fiber rods are used as connecting elements, then device weight is reduced, but targeted movement limitation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the lightweight carbon fiber material but changes its structural parameters by introducing grooves. This modifies the moment of inertia and flexibility characteristics, enabling targeted movement limitation in specific directions while preserving the weight advantages of carbon fiber. The groove geometry serves as the controlling parameter for movement restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves create local variations in the rod's structural properties, making different regions of the connecting element have different flexibility characteristics. This local quality change allows the carbon fiber rod to provide stability where needed while remaining flexible elsewhere, enabling targeted movement limitation without sacrificing weight advantages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spiral orthoses are used, then rotational movement capability is improved, but pathological rotation control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the connecting element by adding grooves, which create anisotropic flexibility. This allows the orthosis to permit physiological rotation while providing resistance to pathological rotation through the groove-oriented flexibility characteristics, resolving the contradiction between movement capability and control.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rotation rods are used, then rotational movement restriction is improved, but flexion limitation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves create local quality changes in the connecting element, providing rotational restriction through the groove orientation while maintaining appropriate flexibility for flexion control. This local structural modification enables multi-directional movement control from a single component.
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 orthosis or prosthesis effectively treats joint malpositions like clubfoot by allowing defined mobility and stability, adapting to individual needs through adjustable flexibility and elasticity.
Implementation Method 1
Grooves (4) are formed in a first main surface (30a) of the at least one flat rod (30)... when its two ends are deflected essentially perpendicular to its main surfaces, the rod has different moduli of elasticity for both deflection directions
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an orthosis or prosthesis for correcting a malposition of a joint connecting two limbs. Such orthoses or prostheses are used, for example, in the treatment of clubfoot or other pathological malpositions.