Hip Abduction Orthosis Coupled Distance and Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hip abduction orthoses are difficult to set correctly, requiring specialized knowledge and can become unset, leading to additional costs and delays when adjustments are needed, such as when a child grows.
Innovation Solution
A hip abduction orthosis where the distance between the thigh and trunk engaging parts is coupled with a specific abduction angle, allowing for automatic adjustment of the abduction angle when the distance is set, enabling simple reconfiguration without separate setting of each parameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance and abduction angle are set independently, then the orthosis can be adjusted to fit different users, but the setting process becomes complicated and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the distance setting and abduction angle setting into a single integrated mechanism. When the distance between the thigh engaging part and trunk engaging part is adjusted, the abduction angle is automatically adjusted through the coupled design of the coupling part. This eliminates the need for separate independent setting of both parameters, simplifying the operation while maintaining adaptability to different users.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthosis design allows the abduction angle to be automatically set based on the distance setting through the coupled mechanism. The system essentially sets itself - when the caregiver adjusts the distance parameter, the abduction angle follows automatically without requiring additional manual adjustment or specialized knowledge, making the device self-configuring.
2Reliability
If the orthosis requires specialized staff for setting, then correct stabilization is achieved, but extra costs and time delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coupled setting mechanism enables caregivers or parents to correctly set the orthosis themselves without needing specialized medical staff. The simplified operation allows non-experts to achieve proper stabilization by simply adjusting the distance parameter, which automatically configures the abduction angle, eliminating the need to enlist professional help and reducing time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from requiring two independent adjustments (distance and abduction angle) to requiring only one parameter adjustment (distance). This single parameter control maintains the reliability of correct stabilization while enabling anyone to perform the setting, thereby eliminating time delays associated with waiting for specialized staff.
3Reliability
If the orthosis is accidentally unset, then the original configuration is lost, but re-setting requires specialized staff and incurs extra costs
Solution Approach 1:
When the orthosis becomes unset, the coupled setting mechanism allows the original configuration to be easily restored by simply adjusting the distance parameter, which automatically reinstates the correct abduction angle. This self-service capability enables caregivers to quickly re-set the orthosis without needing to contact specialized staff, reducing both the complexity and cost of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupled mechanism pre-establishes the correct relationship between distance and abduction angle settings. When re-setting is needed, the system relies on this pre-configured relationship to automatically restore the correct configuration, eliminating the need for complex manual reconfiguration by specialists and enabling quick restoration by anyone.
Data Source
AI summary
A hip abduction orthosis for stabilizing the hip joints of a user, provided with a trunk engaging part, first and second thigh engaging parts and first and second coupling parts, wherein the first coupling part connects the first thigh engaging part with the trunk engaging part and the second coupling part connects the second thigh engaging part with the trunk engaging part. A distance between the first and/or the second thigh engaging part and the trunk engaging part is settable. An abduction angle of that thigh engaging part is settable. The distance and the abduction angle are coupled such that a first set distance between that thigh engaging part and the trunk engaging part is coupled with a first set abduction angle and a second set distance different from the first set distance is coupled with a second set abduction angle different from the first set abduction angle.