Motorized Cervical Sling for Continuous Passive Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapy devices fail to provide effective continuous passive motion and axial traction to the neck and cervical spine, leading to inadequate relief for neck and spine pain, as they do not move spinal joints and are not designed for home use.
Innovation Solution
A motorized therapy device with a movable sling system that rotates the user's head, neck, and cervical spine between 60 and 180 degrees, providing continuous passive motion and axial traction, allowing for adjustable rotation and speed, and can be used by users in the comfort of their own homes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional massagers are used to massage the neck, then soft tissue massage is provided, but the spinal joints are not moved and therapeutic effect on the spine is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static massager into a dynamic therapy device by incorporating a motorized sling system that actively rotates the user's head and neck through a controlled range of motion (60-180 degrees). This dynamic movement enables continuous passive motion of the spinal joints, addressing the inadequacy of traditional static massagers while maintaining device feasibility through a single motor-driven mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapy device combines multiple therapeutic functions into a single system: continuous passive motion rotation, axial traction, and neck extension. The sling mechanism simultaneously performs soft tissue massage while rotating the cervical spine, eliminating the need for separate devices and achieving comprehensive spinal therapy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If automated continuous passive motion machines are used for shoulders and knees, then continuous passive motion therapy is provided, but no such devices exist for the cervical spine
Solution Approach 1:
The device adapts the continuous passive motion concept from lower body applications to the cervical spine by using a single motorized sling system that performs rotation, traction, and extension functions simultaneously. This universal approach brings automated CMPM therapy to the neck region without requiring multiple separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic rotation capability to the cervical spine therapy device, allowing the sling to move the user's head and neck through a controlled angular range (60-180 degrees). This dynamic movement enables continuous passive motion of the cervical joints, filling the gap left by non-existent cervical CMPM devices.
3Reliability
If axial traction and extension exercises are performed manually, then ideal cervical curve position is encouraged, but medical supervision and costly facilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-administered cervical spine therapy by automating the traction and extension exercises that previously required medical professional supervision. The motorized sling system automatically performs the therapeutic movements, allowing users to receive accurate cervical curve positioning at home without needing chiropractors or physical therapists.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical exercises with an automated motorized system. The motor drives the sling to perform controlled rotation and traction movements, substituting the need for manual effort and medical professional guidance while maintaining therapeutic accuracy for cervical curve positioning.
4Reliability
If a motorized sling system rotates the user's head and neck, then continuous passive motion and axial traction are provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized sling system achieves multiple therapeutic effects (continuous passive motion, axial traction, neck extension, and soft tissue massage) through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components and mechanisms, managing device complexity while delivering comprehensive spinal therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamic rotation of the sling as the core mechanism to generate continuous passive motion of the cervical spine. By focusing on this single dynamic movement type, the device achieves complex therapeutic effects without requiring multiple independent mechanical systems, thereby controlling overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A therapy device includes a frame, a motor, and a sling on which a neck of a supine user rests. The sling is movable by the motor relative to the frame to enable continuous passive motion rotation of a user's neck and cervical spine. Additionally, depending on where the user's head is placed relative to the sling, the user's spine can be placed in axial traction, and the user's neck can also be placed into extension. Movement of the sling may be achieved by an armature that is rotated by the motor. The armature may include a plurality of openings formed therein that are configured to receive a sling lead. Each of the openings results in a different amount of rotational movement of the user's head, such that a user can adjust to location of the sling pin to result in a desired amount of rotational movement.