Hinged Knee Orthosis Cuffs for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee orthotics are uncomfortable due to their rigid materials, which apply unwanted pressure on the thigh and shin during movement, discouraging squatting and leading to a sedentary lifestyle, and lack therapeutic and corrective forces for the knee joint and surrounding muscles.
Innovation Solution
A knee orthosis with adjustable, flexible components including polycentric and uni-centric hinges, air bladders, and elastic cushions that allow for rotation and reduced pressure on the shin and thigh, providing medial, lateral, and rotational support, and applying therapeutic forces through adjustable air pressure and flexible materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid materials are used in knee orthotics to provide stability and support, then the orthotic can effectively stabilize the knee joint, but it applies unwanted pressure on the thigh and shin during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cuff system movable rather than fixed. The shin cuff and thigh cuff are connected via hinges that allow them to rotate and adjust their position dynamically during knee movement. This enables the cuffs to move with the changing geometry of the leg during flexion and extension, reducing unwanted pressure while maintaining knee joint stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the orthotic structure by introducing hinge joints that allow angular adjustment. The shin cuff hinge and thigh cuff hinge enable the cuffs to change their orientation and position relative to the leg segments during movement. This parameter change allows the rigid cuffs to adapt to dynamic conditions, reducing pressure points while maintaining stabilizing force on the knee joint.
2Reliability
If rigid materials are used in knee orthotics to provide support, then the orthotic can immobilize the knee joint, but it discourages squatting and leads to a sedentary lifestyle
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge-connected cuff system dynamically adapts during squatting motion. As the knee flexes during squatting, the hinges allow the cuffs to rotate and follow the changing anatomical geometry, preventing the rigid structure from interfering with the squatting motion. This enables patients to perform squatting exercises while the knee joint remains stabilized by the orthotic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates cushioning elements within the cuff structures that anticipate and compensate for pressure points during movement. These cushioning elements are positioned to relieve pressure on the shin and thigh during flexion and squatting motions, making the rigid orthotic more comfortable and encouraging patients to remain active rather than sedentary.
3Strength
If hard and rigid materials are used in knee orthotics, then the orthotic can provide structural support, but it does not flex and move with the changing conditions of the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the orthotic structure into distinct modular components: the main orthotic body, the shin cuff, the thigh cuff, and the hinge connections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the rigid main body provides structural support while the hinged cuffs provide adaptability. The modular design enables the rigid and flexible elements to work together without compromising either strength or flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthotic employs a composite construction combining rigid materials for the main support structure with flexible hinge mechanisms and cushioning elements for adaptability. This composite approach integrates materials with different mechanical properties to achieve both structural strength and movement flexibility, allowing the orthotic to maintain support while adapting to body geometry changes during movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed knee orthosis has two vertical struts positioned on opposed sides of a knee joint in a generally parallel relationship. Each vertical strut has a hinge member located at a general middle portion; each vertical strut has a top and bottom end portion. An upper thigh cuff attaches at opposed ends to the upper end portions of the two vertical struts whereas a lower shin cuff attaches at opposed ends to the lower end portions. The lower shin cuff has a pair of hinges located proximal to the shin cuff opposed ends for permitting the shin cuff to pivot downwardly away from a shin of a person wearing the knee orthosis. An alternate embodiment employs hinges located proximal to the thigh cuff opposed ends for permitting the thigh cuff to pivot upwardly away from a thigh of a person when the same motion is performed.