Medical Sock With Segmented Toe Chambers and Elastic Drawstrings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical stockings for treating foot malpositions like hallux valgus and hammer toes are uncomfortable, cause pressure points, and risk strangulation due to inadequate design of drawstrings, which limits their effectiveness for long-term use and postoperative stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A medical stocking with multiple separate chambers and adjustable elastic traction devices, including medially and laterally extending drawstrings, to apply defined traction forces without causing pressure or strangulation, allowing for precise correction of toe positions and stabilization of foot ligaments and joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If drawstrings are worked directly into the textile of the stocking to apply tensile force, then the traction force for correcting foot malpositions is improved, but the risk of strangulation of the foot and individual toes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stocking is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber for big toe, second chamber for other toes) instead of a single continuous structure. This segmentation prevents the drawstring from encircling and constricting the entire foot or individual toes, while still allowing the application of corrective tensile force to specific areas through the integrated drawstring mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tapes are used to treat foot malpositions, then skin irritation is avoided initially, but skin irritation occurs if tapes are worn for a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The stocking uses a textile structure with integrated drawstrings rather than adhesive tapes. The textile material provides a flexible, breathable, and skin-friendly environment that can be worn continuously without causing skin irritation, while the drawstring mechanism inside the stocking applies the necessary corrective force without direct skin contact from rigid tape materials.
3Force
If a rigid or semi-rigid platform with slots and straps is used to correct toe positions, then the corrective force is improved, but the comfort and wearability in shoes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from rigid or semi-rigid platforms to a flexible textile stocking with elastic drawstrings. The elastic material properties allow the stocking to adapt to foot movements and shoe wear while maintaining corrective functionality. The drawstring tension can be adjusted to provide appropriate corrective force without the bulk and rigidity that would compromise comfort and wearability.
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 medical stocking effectively corrects foot deformities by distributing traction forces evenly, preventing unwanted movements and relieving pain, while being adaptable to foot shape and swelling, thus enhancing comfort and therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic traction device for generating a defined traction force, which at least one elastic traction device comprises at least one elastic traction strap
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A medical sock is disclosed which comprises at least two separate chambers, wherein a first of the at least two separate chambers is designed to receive a big toe and at least a second chamber is designed to receive at least one further toe. The medical sock comprises at least one elastic tensioning means for generating a defined tensile force. The at least one elastic tensioning means comprises at least one elastic tensioning band (16, 16') which extends at least in part along a body area of the sock (10) opening into the at least two chambers. The at least one elastic tensioning band (16, 16') has at least one recess (24) at at least one defined position.