Portable Lumbar Spine Distraction Device with Unilateral Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal distraction devices are cumbersome, costly, and often require medical facility visits, lacking portability and user-controlled unilateral traction capabilities, which are essential for managing variable low back pain.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, portable lumbar spinal distraction device with angled handles and concave upper leg contacting members allows users to apply controlled forces for ergonomic comfort and unilateral traction by adjusting force on each handle, eliminating the need for ankle clamps or complex setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex costly devices are used for spinal distraction, then distraction effectiveness is improved, but portability and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a portable frame with contacting members, detachable weights, and adjustable straps. This segmentation allows the device to be transported easily while maintaining full functionality when assembled, resolving the contradiction between portability and distraction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary portable frame structure that transfers the distraction force from the weights to the lumbar spine. This frame acts as a mediator between the simple portable design and the complex medical-grade devices, providing effective distraction while maintaining portability.
2Force
If weights and inversion methods are used, then spinal distraction force is improved, but user comfort and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-administered spinal distraction through intuitive design. Users independently adjust the weight, positioning, and strap tension without requiring assistance or complex setup procedures, making the device both effective and easy to use.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows dynamic adjustment of distraction force through removable weights and adjustable straps. Users can modify the force applied to their spine in real-time based on comfort and therapeutic needs, resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient distraction force and maintaining user comfort.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ankle clamps and fixed anchoring are used, then distraction stability is improved, but portability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The portable frame serves multiple functions: it provides stable distraction force application, acts as a portable support structure, and enables use in various locations without fixed anchoring. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between stability and portability by making the frame itself the universal solution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If unilateral traction capability is added, then adaptability to variable pain is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs asymmetric handle positioning and contacting member configuration that naturally allows unilateral force application. The handles are positioned at different heights and angles, enabling users to apply different forces to each side of the spine, providing adaptability to variable pain patterns without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A simple, lightweight, portable, lumbar spinal distraction device is provided which employs a frame having concave left and right hand upper leg contacting members for asserting forces against substantially vertically oriented left and right upper leg portions of a user assuming a substantially horizontal position. The user pushes the portable frame forward by manually grasping a pair of handles, causing the left and right contacting members to press against the vertically oriented left and right upper leg portions respectively. Increased unilateral traction ability is produced by simply having the user apply extra force to one handle or the other. This will permit users suffering from unilateral pain in the buttocks, hip or leg to obtain a little extra pressure on the symptomatic side. Anyone who has suffered low back pain can relate to the fact that some days the pain feels more right sided and some days more left sided.