Heated Massaging Joint Brace for Comfort and Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint braces are uncomfortable and difficult to use for post-injury or post-surgery recovery due to discomfort, difficulty in heating the covered area, and ensuring proper blood circulation while maintaining brace tightness.
Innovation Solution
A heated massaging brace with integrated heating elements, massaging elements (rollers and vibrators), a controller for temperature and speed control, and a rechargeable power source, designed to provide comfort and promote healing by combining heating and massage functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a brace is applied to support a joint for proper healing, then the joint stability is improved, but the user experiences discomfort and irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brace structure with massaging elements and heating elements into a single integrated device. The massaging elements include rollers and vibrators that can be activated to massage the skin and underlying tissues, while heating elements provide thermal therapy. This merging of support function with comfort-enhancing functions resolves the contradiction by maintaining joint stability while actively alleviating discomfort through massage and heat therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is equipped with self-service capabilities through automated massaging elements and heating elements that can be controlled by the user via a controller. The system includes a rechargeable battery for power supply, allowing the brace to independently provide comfort therapies without requiring external intervention. This self-service feature enables users to actively manage their own comfort while wearing the brace.
2Reliability
If heating is applied to promote healing, then the tissue recovery is improved, but the brace structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are integrated into the existing brace structure rather than being added as separate external devices. The heating elements work in conjunction with the massaging elements and the brace's support structure, creating a unified system that promotes tissue recovery through thermal therapy while maintaining the brace's portability and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements serve multiple functions: they promote tissue recovery through thermal therapy, work synergistically with the massaging elements to enhance blood circulation, and can be controlled independently or in combination with other features. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive therapeutic benefits within a single device.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the brace is placed tightly to ensure proper support, then the joint stabilization is improved, but the blood circulation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The massaging elements perform periodic massage actions on the skin and underlying tissues, which helps to periodically stimulate blood flow and prevent circulation restriction caused by the tight brace fit. The rhythmic motion of the rollers and vibrators creates periodic pressure changes that promote venous return and arterial flow, counteracting the continuous compression from the brace structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The massaging elements provide self-service by automatically massaging the affected area to counteract the circulation-restricting effect of the tight brace fit. This active massage function compensates for the potential harm caused by tight compression, allowing the brace to maintain its stabilizing pressure while simultaneously promoting blood circulation through mechanical stimulation.
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 brace effectively alleviates discomfort and ensures proper blood circulation by providing customizable heating and massage, enhancing the healing process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating elements disposed on an interior of the brace structure... The plurality of massaging elements are configured to be heated
Data Source
AI summary
A heated massaging joint brace comprising a brace structure and a first material. A plurality of massaging elements are disposed on an interior of the first material. A heating element is further disposed on the interior of the first material. A power source is operably coupled to the heating element and the plurality of massaging elements. A controller is disposed on an exterior of the brace structure. The controller can control the speed of the massaging elements and the heat of the heating element. The heated massaging brace can be attached to a wearer to heat and massage the area covered by the brace.