Neck Support Linkage for Precise PNF Stretching Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neck therapy devices face challenges in accurately measuring and maintaining the head position during PNF stretching due to structural constraints and therapist fatigue, making it difficult to achieve precise angle measurements and effective muscle stretching.
Innovation Solution
A neck movement support device with a stationary member, movable member, handle, and head harness, allowing for precise angular displacement measurements and locking mechanisms to maintain head position during PNF stretching, enabling accurate measurement and reduced therapist fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the therapist manually holds the patient's head during PNF stretching, then the head position can be controlled, but the therapist experiences fatigue and measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service by allowing the patient's head weight to automatically position and hold the head at the desired angle through the pivot mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous therapist intervention and manual holding, thus preventing therapist fatigue while maintaining reliable head position control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of therapist hand-holding with an automated mechanical system using a pivot point, movable member, and head harness that automatically positions and maintains head angle through mechanical advantage and gravity-assisted positioning
2Reliability
If the therapist uses both hands to hold the head during stretching, then head position can be maintained, but accurate angle measurement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual head holding with a mechanical pivot system that automatically maintains head position at the desired angle, freeing the therapist to use measurement tools and enabling precise angle measurement while maintaining reliable head position control
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member connected to the head harness acts as an intermediary between the patient's head and the measurement system, mechanically maintaining the head at the measured angle and allowing simultaneous position maintenance and accurate measurement without therapist hand interference
3Ease of manufacture
If the device structure prevents the mediolateral axis from intersecting at C7 with other axes, then the device can be constructed, but measurement accuracy and therapeutic effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic movable member that can rotate about the mediolateral axis to allow the head harness to be positioned at the correct height where all three neck movement axes intersect at C7, enabling accurate measurement and therapy while maintaining ease of construction through adjustable positioning rather than fixed complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical adjustment capability through the movable member's rotation about the mediolateral axis, allowing the head harness to be positioned in the vertical dimension at the appropriate height to achieve intersection of all three neck movement axes at C7, solving the geometric constraint problem
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
Enables precise measurement and effective PNF stretching by allowing the therapist to control head position without manual holding, reducing fatigue and improving the accuracy of angle measurements and muscle stretching outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The movable member is mounted to the stationary member at a first pivot point, the movable member being rotatable relative to the stationary member about the first pivot point, the first pivot point defining an anteroposterior neck movement axis
Implementation Method 2
The head harness is connected to the handle at a third pivot point, the head harness being rotatable relative to the handle about the third pivot point, the third pivot point defining a craniocaudal neck movement axis perpendicular to both the anteroposterior and mediolateral neck movement axes
Implementation Method 3
The handle is connected to the movable member by a pair of four-bar linkages so as to approximate rotation about a second pivot point defining a mediolateral neck movement axis perpendicular to and intersecting the anteroposterior neck movement axis
Data Source
AI summary
A neck movement support device comprises a stationary member, a movable member, a handle and a head harness. The movable member is mounted to the stationary member at a first pivot point, the movable member being rotatable relative to the stationary member about the first pivot point, the first pivot point defining an anteroposterior neck movement axis. The handle is connected to the movable member by a pair of four-bar linkages so as to approximate rotation about a second pivot point defining a mediolateral neck movement axis perpendicular to and intersecting the anteroposterior neck movement axis. The head harness is connected to the handle at a third pivot point, the head harness being rotatable relative to the handle about the third pivot point, the third pivot point defining a craniocaudal neck movement axis perpendicular to both the anteroposterior and mediolateral neck movement axes and sharing a mutual intersection therewith.