Modular Postural Seating for Personalized Pelvic and Spine Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing postural systems fail to provide personalized and adaptable support for individuals with varying anatomical morphologies, particularly those affected by central nervous system diseases, and are not economically viable for mass production.
Innovation Solution
A modular postural system comprising a flat base plate and variably shaped and sized modular blocks, which can be modified to accommodate the user's specific shape and changes over time, along with a modular padding system and accessory devices, allowing for customizable support and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bespoke postural systems are constructed for individual users, then correct support and containment of the pelvis is achieved, but production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The postural system is divided into modular components including a base plate, pelvic support element, lateral support elements, and back support element that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows standardized production of individual modules while enabling customization through different assembly configurations, thereby reducing overall production complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal coupling mechanisms that allow the same base plate and support elements to serve multiple users with different anatomical requirements. The universal interface enables a single set of standardized parts to be reconfigured for different pelvic morphologies, eliminating the need for completely bespoke systems while ensuring correct support for each user.
2Adaptability or versatility
If postural systems are made modular with removable accessories, then adaptability to morphological changes is improved, but the system cannot fully conform to specific anatomical conformation
Solution Approach 1:
The modular elements are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable rather than fixed. The pelvic support element and lateral support elements can be repositioned and reconfigured to adapt to morphological changes over time, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining precise conformation to the user's anatomy through careful adjustment of modular component positions.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a postural system which can advantageously be used by both properly walking persons and non-ambulant and partially ambulant persons, and in the latter case is suitable for use with or incorporation with medical support devices for mobility, medical devices for rehabilitation and social or domestic life and the like: this system may also be advantageously used with or incorporated with transport means. The postural system according to the invention provides a supporting structure comprising a flat base plate (10) and a plurality of modular blocks (20a-20f, 30a-30d, 40a-40f, 50a-50e, 80a-80b) intended to support various segments of the user's body (legs, pelvis, spine and so on). The number, shape, size and orientation of the said modular blocks can be suitably selected to obtain a perfect fit for the user's shape (whether male or female) and encourage perfect housing of the body and a correct weight distribution over the entire surface of the seat.