Orthopedic Walker with Articulating Upper Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for stabilizing and protecting the lower limb after injury or surgery, such as casting systems and orthopedic braces, are either cumbersome, expensive, or difficult to adjust to individual anatomy, and often disrupt normal activities due to bulkiness and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

An orthopedic walker or walking boot made from semi-rigid body material that provides adjustable and customizable support, allowing for easy donning and doffing, and featuring a streamlined design to minimize weight and discomfort while maintaining stability and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If casting systems are used to provide rigid support and conform to unique anatomy, then customization and support are improved, but the device becomes difficult to adjust, remove, and reuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomy conformanceVSAvoidadjustability and removability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The casting system incorporates a phase-change material that transitions from a moldable state to a rigid state, allowing the device to be dynamically adjusted and reconfigured. This enables the cast to be easily removed and reapplied while maintaining anatomical conformance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the casting system are changed through phase transition, allowing it to shift between moldable and rigid states. This parameter change enables easy adjustment and removal while providing rigid support when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If orthopedic braces with multicomponent systems are used to provide adjustable support, then adaptability is improved, but the device becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidmulticomponent system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The orthopedic brace integrates multiple components (padding, shell, straps, and phase-change material) into a unified system where the phase-change material serves both structural and adaptive functions, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase-change material serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling adjustability through phase transition, and simplifying the overall device architecture by replacing complex multicomponent adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional strut walkers with unyielding struts are used to provide immobilization, then stability is improved, but the device becomes uncomfortable and difficult to adapt to individual dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmobilizationVSAvoiduser adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The walker employs a shell made of phase-change material that can be molded to conform to the user's specific limb dimensions while maintaining immobilization stability. The material transitions from flexible during fitting to rigid during use, providing both adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If rigid materials are used to provide stable support, then strength and stability are improved, but the device becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The phase-change material allows the device to transition between lightweight moldable state and strong rigid state, providing full support capability only when needed while minimizing weight during application and removal phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The orthopedic walker offers reliable protection and support to the lower limb, adapting to individual anatomy while reducing weight, complexity, and cost, thereby enhancing comfort and convenience for users.

Implementation Method 1

The semi-rigid nature of the body material provides rigid support to the limb and allows the walker to resiliently hold or return to its original shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250025327A1Orthopedic walker

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 OSSUR ICELAND EHF

AI summary

An orthopedic walker or walking boot has a body formed from at least one polymeric material. The body defines an upper receiving section, a lower receiving section, and a footbed. The upper receiving section includes first and second portions divided by a median plane of the orthopedic walker, and are arranged to individually articulate about or from the median plane to expand or retract a variable distance between the first and second portions of the upper receiving section along one of anterior or posterior sides of the body. The body may consist of the upper receiving section, the lower receiving section, and the footbed as a continuous structure formed unitarily from the expanded thermoplastic.