Neck Movement Support Device with Hydraulic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PNF neck therapy techniques face challenges in accurately measuring angular displacement and maintaining head position due to the therapist's manual limitations, leading to inaccurate measurements and fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A neck movement support device with a head harness and hydraulic locking mechanism that allows for precise angular displacement measurement and mechanical resistance, enabling controlled PNF stretching along one plane of motion while locking other planes, allowing for accurate measurement and reduced therapist fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the therapist uses hands to hold and stretch the patient's head manually, then the therapist can provide resistance and control during PNF stretching, but the therapist experiences fatigue and cannot accurately measure angular displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the therapist's manual mechanical system with an automated mechanical device comprising a head harness, yoke, and protractor assembly. The device mechanically holds the patient's head and provides structured resistance through pulleys and weights, eliminating the need for the therapist to manually hold and stretch the head while maintaining measurement capability through the integrated protractor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a head harness and yoke assembly as an intermediary between the therapist and the patient's head. This intermediary device transfers and controls the forces applied during PNF stretching, allowing the therapist to operate controls rather than directly manipulate the head, thereby reducing fatigue while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If the therapist uses both hands to hold the patient's head during stretching, then the therapist can maintain control, but accurate measurement with a protractor becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the head-holding function and the measurement function into a single integrated device. The head harness is connected to a yoke that directly supports the protractor, eliminating the need for separate measurement tools and allowing accurate angular displacement measurement while maintaining head control through the same mechanical structure.
3Reliability
If the therapist applies force to hold the patient's head in position, then the head can be maintained in the desired stretched position, but the therapist experiences fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a counterweight system with pulleys and weights to balance the force required to hold the patient's head in the stretched position. The counterweight mechanism provides continuous opposing force that compensates for the head's weight and muscular resistance, maintaining position stability without requiring the therapist to continuously apply manual force.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical device with its self-locking mechanisms and counterweight system maintains head position automatically once set, without requiring continuous therapist intervention. The device serves itself by maintaining the stretched position through its own mechanical properties, freeing the therapist from the fatigue-inducing task of continuous manual holding.
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
Facilitates improved passive and active range of motion, reduces muscular hypertonicity, and enables precise measurement of neck motion, enhancing the effectiveness of PNF therapy while minimizing therapist fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic cylinder arrangement is attached between the end of the table and the yoke in order to lock the patient's head in a desired position
Data Source
AI summary
A neck movement support device includes a stationary member, a movable member connected to the stationary member and rotatable relative thereto about an anteroposterior neck movement axis, a yoke extending away from the movable member and rotatable therewith about the anteroposterior neck movement axis, a handle connected to the yoke and rotatable relative thereto about a mediolateral neck movement axis, and a head hardness connected to the handle and rotatable relative thereto about a craniocaudal neck movement axis. A head of a user is securable to the head hardness, so as to constrain the head to move or remain stationary along with the head hardness about the anteroposterior, mediolateral and craniocaudal neck movement axes.