Orthopaedic Walking Assistance Device with Adjustable Thigh Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ambulation assistance devices fail to adequately adjust the spacing of patients' thighs and legs, leading to misalignment and discomfort, and often have complex motor control systems that are fragile and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a chassis and saddle support featuring movable segments that articulate around a transverse axis, allowing for adjustable spacing of the thighs and legs, along with a pedal board and wedging elements to guide the patient's movement, and a simplified motorization system for controlled ambulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are installed on each joint of articulated arms to simulate walking, then the device can move the patient's lower limbs, but the control system becomes complicated and the motors become fragile and difficult to connect to power source
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the motorization function into two independent parts: a central motorization unit for driving the pedal assembly and separate motorization means for driving the wheels. This segmentation allows each motor system to have a dedicated function, simplifying control while maintaining walking simulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force for moving the device forward and simultaneously simulates the walking motion of the patient's lower limbs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate motors for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the device is equipped with a footrest, then the patient has support for the feet, but the patient has difficulty moving and encounters problems changing direction
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt to the patient's movements and the device's direction changes. This dynamic design maintains foot support stability while enabling patient mobility and directional changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single point of restriction is applied in the thighs or legs, then the patient's legs are spread apart, but tension is created in the patient's knees because the legs are no longer aligned with the thighs
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the restriction function into two independent components: one for the thighs and one for the legs. This allows each to be adjusted independently, maintaining proper alignment between legs and thighs while achieving the necessary spacing, thus preventing knee tension.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (D) for assisting a patient's ambulation, comprising a frame (1) equipped with wheels (11; 13), a saddle support (7) mounted on said frame (1), two movable segments (91, 93) arranged on either side of said saddle support (7) and belonging to a pedal assembly (90), characterized in that each movable segment (91, 93) is articulated about an axis (91", 93") transverse to said frame (1) and slides along parallel longitudinal rails, said ambulation aid (D) further comprising an element (6) for securing the patient's foot or leg and means (8) for separating the patient's thighs arranged on either side of said saddle support (7), said separating means (8) following the alternating movement of the patient's lower limbs held by said securing elements (6) and by said means spacing (8) when the patient is installed on said device.