Orthopedic Joint Device with Directional Blocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic joint devices often face challenges in providing enhanced safety by allowing blocking in one direction of movement while maintaining freedom in the opposite direction, particularly in orthotic and prosthetic knee joints, where complete blocking can be disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic joint device with a blocking mechanism that never blocks in one direction of pivoting and can be switched to a blocking position in the opposite direction, utilizing an actuation element and actuator to control the blocking device, ensuring safe and adaptable movement based on load and movement situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking device is introduced to block pivoting movement in one direction, then safety and stance stability are improved, but the risk of abrupt blocking and loss of movement freedom in normal operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is designed to be dynamically switchable between a blocking position and a release position. The actuation element allows the blocking device to be actively moved between these positions, enabling the system to adapt its behavior based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability ensures that blocking is applied only when necessary for safety while maintaining movement freedom during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device is configured to block pivoting movement in only one specific direction (e.g., flexion direction) while leaving the opposite direction (extension direction) completely free. This directional selectivity allows the system to provide localized stability where needed without restricting natural movement in other directions, thereby maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If complete blocking is implemented in both directions of movement, then maximum safety is achieved, but natural movement patterns and gait cycles are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is applied selectively in only one direction of pivoting movement rather than uniformly in both directions. This localized application of blocking allows the joint device to maintain natural movement patterns and gait cycles while providing safety enhancement where specifically required.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on operational conditions. During normal gait cycles, the blocking device remains in the release position to allow natural movement. During stance phase or when safety concerns arise, the blocking device is activated to provide stability, thus adapting to different operational requirements.
3Reliability
If blocking is activated during stance phase, then joint stability is improved, but the complexity of control mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is designed to be self-activating based on the operational phase of the joint. Through the mechanical arrangement of the actuation element and blocking device, the system automatically transitions between blocking and release positions according to the gait cycle phase, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining joint stability during stance phase.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an orthopedic joint device having an upper part (10), a lower part (20) mounted thereon so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (15), and a blocking device (30) which blocks a pivoting movement of the upper part relative to the lower part, wherein the blocking device never blocks in one direction of pivoting and, in the opposite direction of pivoting, can be switched from a release position to a blocking position, wherein the blocking device is assigned an actuation element (40) that holds the blocking device in the release position or moves it to the release position.