Leg Restraint Structure With Inflatable Support for Knee Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leg restraint devices for medical procedures, such as knee arthroscopy, often fail to provide adequate immobilization and comfort while posing risks of cross-contamination and requiring costly sterilization and re-use, with limitations in withstanding lateral forces and accommodating varying patient sizes.

Innovation Solution

A leg restraining apparatus made of 60% glass polycarbonate materials with an inflatable bladder and proprietary structural ridges, offering adjustable tension and ease of use, which can be disposable or reusable, and designed to withstand 50 lbs of lateral force, allowing for direct access to the knee joint without encircling the leg entirely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional leg restraint devices are used, then immobilization is provided, but comfort is insufficient and cross-contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization effectivenessVSAvoidcross-contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable leg restraint devices made from biocompatible materials that are discarded after single use, eliminating sterilization requirements and preventing cross-contamination between patients while maintaining effective immobilization throughout the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If rigid restraint structures are used, then immobilization is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and tissue damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization stabilityVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines rigid structural components for stable immobilization with soft compliant contact surfaces that distribute pressure evenly, preventing tissue damage while maintaining immobilization effectiveness throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the restraint device have different material properties - rigid sections provide structural support and immobilization, while soft padded sections contact the patient's skin to distribute pressure and prevent tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If complex sterilization processes are required, then device reliability is maintained, but administrative burden and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sterilityVSAvoidsterilization process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint device is designed as a disposable single-use item that requires no sterilization process, eliminating administrative burden and complexity while ensuring sterility through manufacturing controls and single-use disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Manufacturing precision

If adjustable tension mechanisms are added, then immobilization precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a simple inflatable bladder system controlled by a pump, allowing precise tension adjustment through fluid pressure while minimizing mechanical complexity and moving parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 apparatus provides effective immobilization, reduces cross-contamination risks, minimizes sterilization costs, and ensures patient comfort by distributing stress evenly, while being adaptable to different patient sizes and procedures like arthroscopic surgeries and vascular interventions.

Implementation Method 1

an inflatable bladder that interfaces between the restraining member and the patient's leg

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8689793B2Method and apparatus for restraining a patient's leg during leg surgical and interventional procedures

Publication Date: 2014.04.08 ORTHO BIOMETRIX LLC

AI summary

An improved method and apparatus for restraining a patient's leg during knee surgery or similar procedure features and improved restraining member that is attachable to an operating room table. The restraining member has a lower concave portion that engages the upper portion and sides of the patient's leg. The restraining member has an upper convex portion that is reinforced with a plurality of ridges. The concave portion can be fitted with an inflatable bladder. The concave portion in other embodiments is fitted with a belt arrangement that enables different degrees of constriction to be imparted to the leg.