Magnetorheological Medical Brace with Adjustable Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical braces and sports braces lack adjustable stiffness, leading to inadequate support, comfort, and convenience during recovery and physical activity, as they do not accommodate changing needs of patients or users, potentially causing muscle atrophy, itching issues, and hygiene challenges due to immobility and fixed rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A magnetorheological medical brace with a flexible outer shell containing a magnetorheological fluid or gel pack, adjustable via a magnetic field, allowing for controlled stiffness adjustment through a control mechanism, enabling progressive loosening for healing and strengthening, and monitoring of user activity for tailored support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional braces use fixed stiffness to provide support, then stability and support are improved, but adaptability to changing recovery needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies magnetorheological fluid technology to create a dynamically adjustable brace stiffness system. The fluid's viscosity and stiffness can be changed in real-time by adjusting magnetic field strength, allowing the brace to transition from rigid (high magnetic field) to flexible (low magnetic field) states, directly resolving the contradiction between fixed support and adaptive recovery needs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the brace material from fixed to variable by using magnetorheological fluid whose rheological properties (viscosity, stiffness) can be altered by magnetic field intensity. This allows continuous adjustment of mechanical properties to match different stages of recovery, solving the adaptability problem while maintaining stability when needed
2Reliability
If braces are made rigid to ensure proper immobilization, then healing support is improved, but patient comfort and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-controlled fluid allows the brace to be rigid during critical immobilization phases and flexible during comfort-oriented phases. Patients can adjust the magnetic field strength to achieve their desired balance between support and comfort, resolving the contradiction between reliable immobilization and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables patients to self-adjust the brace stiffness using a control mechanism, allowing them to optimize comfort and support according to their immediate needs without requiring professional intervention, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining healing support
3Ease of operation
If braces are made flexible to allow movement, then patient comfort is improved, but healing support deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetorheological fluid enables the brace to dynamically switch between flexible and rigid states based on magnetic field intensity. During rest periods, low magnetic field provides flexibility and comfort; during movement or critical healing phases, high magnetic field provides rigid support, resolving the contradiction between comfort and healing support
4Stability of the object's composition
If brace stiffness is increased to provide stronger support, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different activities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention allows continuous adjustment of the magnetic field parameter, which directly controls the fluid's rheological properties. This enables the brace to adapt its stiffness level to match different activity intensities - from low-stiffness daily activities to high-stiffness sports or critical healing phases - resolving the contradiction between support strength and activity adaptability
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 magnetorheological medical brace provides adjustable stiffness for enhanced healing, comfort, and convenience by allowing progressive movement and reduced visits, while monitoring user progress for tailored support and hygiene maintenance, addressing the limitations of fixed stiffness in conventional braces.
Implementation Method 1
The MAR pack is filled with a magnetorheological fluid or gel and a plurality of magnets are attached to or encased in the shell such that a magnetic field is provided acting on the MAR pack
Data Source
AI summary
The magnetorheological (MAR) medical brace includes a flexible outer shell that fits around the anatomical area to be braced and a plurality of adjustable straps for securing the shell onto the anatomical area. The shell encases a MAR pack filled with magnetorheological fluid or gel. A plurality of magnets is attached to or encased in the shell to provide magnetic field acting on the MAR pack. The interaction of the magnetic field with the MAR pack adjustably increases or decreases the stiffness of the shell depending on the strength of the magnetic field. A control mechanism is provided for selective adjustment of the magnetic field and other functions.