Modular Wrist Brace With Interchangeable Bendable Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrist braces lack adjustability to specific patient requirements, do not allow adjustment of attenuation force or resilience during therapy, and do not provide remedial therapy for radial and ulnar deviation or pronation-supination motions of the hand.
Innovation Solution
A wrist brace with a modular design featuring a removably engageable bendable connector that allows toolless exchange for different attenuation levels, providing a form-fit and rotatable connection to support multiple hand motions, including radial and ulnar deviation and pronation-supination, with adjustable stiffness through interchangeable connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cuff brace is used to limit wrist extension, then wrist stability is improved, but adaptability to different patient requirements and therapy stages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is divided into separate modular components: a forearm part, a hand part, and an interchangeable connector. This segmentation allows the connector to be replaced with different attenuation levels while keeping the forearm and hand parts unchanged, providing adaptability without compromising wrist stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to be bendable and flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to different therapy requirements. The bendable connector can be exchanged for connectors with different stiffness characteristics to match varying patient needs during different therapy stages.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed attenuation force is used in the brace, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adjustability during therapy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuation function is separated into a standalone interchangeable connector component. This allows the forearm part and hand part to be manufactured with simple fixed structures, while the connector can be produced in different variants with varying attenuation characteristics to match different therapy stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuation force parameter is made variable through interchangeable connectors with different stiffness characteristics. Each connector variant provides a specific attenuation level, allowing the system to change the attenuation parameter without changing the basic brace structure or manufacturing process.
3Device complexity
If a simple connector design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to support multiple hand motions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with universal functionality to support multiple hand motions including radial and ulnar deviation, pronation-supination, and extension-flexion. Despite this multi-functionality, the connector maintains a relatively simple design through its bendable, flexible construction with a straightforward attachment mechanism featuring a recess and key interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes a bendable, flexible construction that allows it to accommodate multiple directions of hand motion. This flexible design enables the connector to adapt to various motion patterns without requiring complex mechanical structures, maintaining simplicity while achieving multi-functionality.
4Ease of operation
If toolless exchange of connectors is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector exchange mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through a toolless interface. The recess and key construction allows the connector to be attached and detached manually without requiring external tools, making the system easy to operate while maintaining secure connection through precise but simple manufacturing features.
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 wrist brace offers customizable support and remedial therapy by allowing adjustment of attenuation force and freedom of motion, optimizing therapy and support based on patient needs and activities, while minimizing wrist movement during rehabilitation.
Implementation Method 1
the connector is bendable or flexible so that it may function as an absorber or attenuator
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a wrist brace (100) comprising a forearm part (200), configured to be strapped on or slipped in at a forearm of a person, a hand part (300), configured to be strapped on or slipped in at a hand of a person, and a bendable connector (400) connecting the forearm part and the hand part. The bendable connector (400) is removably engageable with both the forearm part and the hand part. To this end, the bendable connector (400) and the forearm part (200), respectively the hand part (300), comprise a joint construction (500) having a recess (250, 350, 450) and a key (240, 340, 440) for interlocking the connector to the forearm part respectively the hand part, which is configured in such a way that the bendable connector is toollessly exchangeable, wherein the joint construction (500) is arranged to provide a form-fit connection along a length di-rection (L) of the connector (400) and a rotatable connection around a rotation axis (RA) perpendicular to the length direction to allow rotational movements of the hand.