Lumbar Retractor with Segmental Air Compression and Pain Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal orthoses and traction devices fail to accurately assess spine alignment and provide individualized compression, leading to discomfort and reduced effectiveness due to motor dependency, limited portability, and inefficiencies in power transmission and cell elongation.
Innovation Solution
A lumbar retractor with adjustable fixers for thoracic and pelvic regions, air-pressure controlled tubes for segment-specific compression, and a sensor to detect pain points, automatically adjusting traction force to prevent discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor is used to operate spinal traction, then automated traction can be provided, but power transmission becomes uniform and cannot be differentiated based on individual body shapes, reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thoracic vertebrae into multiple segments (upper, middle, lower thirds) and provides independent compression control for each segment through separate air bags. This segmentation allows differentiated power transmission to match individual body shapes and treatment requirements, resolving the contradiction between automation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts compression forces on different thoracic segments based on real-time sensor feedback and individual anatomical characteristics. The controller modulates air pressure in each segment's air bag independently, enabling adaptive power transmission that responds to individual body variations while maintaining automated operation.
2Device complexity
If flat transfer and fixed plates are used in spinal traction, then simple structure is achieved, but spine alignment becomes inaccurate due to buttock protrusion, causing discomfort and reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flat plates with curved surfaces that conform to the natural contours of the body. The transfer plate and fixed plate feature curved contact surfaces that accommodate buttock protrusion and maintain accurate spine alignment, eliminating discomfort while preserving structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If continuous compression is applied to restore intervertebral disc, then initial treatment effect is achieved, but cell elongation occurs over time, reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic compression cycles with alternating phases of compression and relaxation. Air bags inflate to compress the intervertebral disc and then deflate to allow cellular recovery, preventing cell elongation while maintaining treatment effectiveness over extended periods. This periodic action sustains therapeutic benefits without causing adverse cellular effects.
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 lumbar retractor provides individualized spinal traction with pain-point detection, ensuring comfort and effectiveness, while being compact and portable for home use.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to control air pressure in the air bag
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to sense a length of the connector which is changed by extension of a distance between the first fixer and the second fixer
Data Source
AI summary
A lumbar retractor according to an embodiment comprises: a first fixing part for fixing the user's lumbar regions; a second fixing part for fixing the user's pelvic regions; and a connection part disposed between the first fixing part and the second fixing part to connect the first fixing part and the second fixing part, wherein the distance between the first fixing part and the second fixing part can be adjusted by changing the length of the connection part, and the first fixing part can press each of a plurality of segments of the user's lumbar regions individually.