Modular Exoskeleton With Interchangeable Functional Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rehabilitation systems are inflexible, expensive, and require multiple custom configurations for different patient needs, making them inefficient and costly to maintain, especially in remote settings, and lack the ability to accurately monitor and predict recovery progress.
Innovation Solution
A modular orthosis or exoskeleton system with interchangeable body mounting and function modules that provide sensing, energy, and control functions, allowing for quick and tool-less coupling, enabling customizable support and monitoring of patients across various stages of recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rehabilitation systems are customized for each patient's specific needs and stage of recovery, then the system provides accurate and effective treatment, but the system becomes expensive and complex to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation system is divided into separate modular components: a base unit with mounting structure and interchangeable functional modules (sensing module, control module, power module). This segmentation allows clinicians to assemble different configurations for different patients without managing entirely separate systems, reducing complexity while maintaining customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of functional modules. A single base unit can serve multiple patients with different rehabilitation needs by simply swapping modules, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated systems and reducing overall system complexity and maintenance burden.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete systems are stocked to treat different patients with various requirements, then all patient needs can be met, but the cost and inventory complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of stocking multiple complete systems, the clinic stocks one universal base unit with a library of interchangeable functional modules. The same base unit can be reconfigured for different patients by swapping modules, dramatically reducing the total number of systems needed while maintaining the ability to treat diverse patient populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into a shared base unit and separate functional modules. This allows the clinic to maintain a centralized pool of modules that can be distributed across different base units as needed, reducing inventory requirements compared to maintaining complete duplicate systems for each patient type.
3Device complexity
If the system is designed as a single integrated unit, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot be adapted to changing patient needs throughout recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a base unit and interchangeable functional modules. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity of the base unit while enabling adaptability through module replacement. The modular architecture allows the system to evolve with patient needs without redesigning the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static integrated design to a dynamic modular configuration. The base unit remains structurally simple and stable, while the functional modules can be dynamically added, removed, or swapped to match changing patient rehabilitation needs throughout the recovery process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom rehabilitation systems are manufactured for each patient, then precise fit and function are achieved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is manufactured as standardized modular components rather than custom-integrated units. Each module (base unit, sensing module, control module, power module) is manufactured independently using standardized processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while enabling custom configurations through assembly of pre-manufactured modules.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal base unit design is manufactured once and can be paired with various functional modules. This eliminates the need to manufacture entirely different systems for different patients, significantly reducing manufacturing time and cost while still providing customized functionality through module selection and combination.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an orthosis or exoskeleton system (200) comprising: one or more body mounting modules (102), the or each body mounting module being structured and arranged to, in use, be mounted to one or more parts of a body of a patient, the body mounting modules having different sizes or configurations with respect to each other; and one or more function modules (104), the or each function module being structured and arranged to provide a different sensing, charging or control function; the body mounting modules and the function modules each having an interfacing structure such that any said body mounting module is interchangeably couplable to any said function module.