Knee Brace with Spiral Force Strap for Unloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional knee braces for treating compartmental osteoarthritis are bulky, difficult to configure, and uncomfortable due to their design, which limits their effectiveness in providing adequate unloading forces and stability, and often result in undesirable rotational forces.

Innovation Solution

A knee brace design featuring multiple force straps intersecting at a single point posterior to the knee's axis, with breathable spacer elements to minimize rotational forces and eliminate the need for a hinge, providing enhanced unloading and stability while maintaining a slim profile and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional knee braces use a hinge mechanism to apply unloading forces, then the brace can provide some degree of knee unloading, but the brace becomes bulky and extends at least an inch away from the knee

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunloading forceVSAvoidbrace extension distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hinge mechanism entirely from the brace design. Instead of using a hinge to generate unloading forces, the invention uses a force strap that spirals around the knee and applies force directly through a three-point bending system, eliminating the need for the bulky hinge component that extends an inch away from the knee.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hinge system with a different mechanical approach using a force strap and three-point bending system. The force strap spirals around the knee and applies force through strategic attachment points, achieving the same unloading effect without the bulky hinge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If the force strap is increased in tension to provide greater unloading, then the unloading force increases, but the hinge produces counteracting forces that mitigate the effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunloading forceVSAvoidforce effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the hinge mechanism entirely, the patent eliminates the source of counteracting forces. The force strap can be tightened to provide maximum unloading without the hinge producing opposing forces that mitigate the effect, as the hinge is completely absent from the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a force strap that spirals around the knee in a configuration that replicates the effective force application of the hinge system without copying its problematic characteristics. The three-point bending system creates a pure unloading moment without the counteracting forces generated by the hinge-knee interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Length of stationary object

If a hinge is aligned close to the knee to reduce brace size, then the brace profile is improved, but the rigidity of the hinge limits the displacement of the hinge relative to the knee

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrace extension distanceVSAvoidhinge displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hinge mechanism entirely, eliminating the constraint on displacement. Without a rigid hinge aligned close to the knee, the force strap can accommodate greater displacement and movement of the knee without mechanical interference, improving adaptability while maintaining a slim profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Force

If conventional braces use a three-point bending system with a force strap, then the brace can apply force to the knee, but the design remains bulky and difficult to configure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknee force applicationVSAvoidbrace configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the force application function into a single integrated force strap that spirals around the knee, combining multiple functional elements into one component. This eliminates the need for separate hinge mechanisms and multiple adjustment components, simplifying the overall brace configuration while maintaining effective knee force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8241234B2Knee brace and method for securing the same

Publication Date: 2012.08.14 OSSUR HF

AI summary

A knee brace divided into anterior and posterior sides by a frontal plane, and having first and second sides divided by a median plane. The knee brace including a frame having proximal and distal portions, a stability strap having first and second ends respectively connected to first and second sides on the proximal frame portion along the posterior side thereof, and a cross strap having a first end connected to the first side of the proximal and a second end connected to the distal frame portions. A bracket assembly having a buckle connects the stability and cross straps to the frame. A sleeve is provided which covers the frame and upon which the bracket assembly rests.