Arm Abduction Orthosis with Flexible Support Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arm abduction orthoses are either bulky, expensive to manufacture, provide limited stabilization, and are not easily adaptable to individual needs or the progress of recovery, leading to hygiene issues and increased stiffness in the shoulder joint.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, comfortable, and cost-effective arm abduction orthosis with a body frame and support device featuring a support frame with spaced frame profiles, flexible support material, and a double joint or hook-in joint for adjustable abduction angles, allowing for ambidextrous use and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a complex locking device is used in the joint between the support frame and the body frame, then the stability of the orthosis is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex locking device from the joint between the support frame and body frame. Instead, a simple support element directly connects the support frame to the body frame, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while maintaining stability through direct force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthosis is divided into separate functional elements: the body frame, the support frame with spaced profiles, and a simple support element. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and easy to manufacture, while their arrangement provides the necessary stability.
2Ease of operation
If a pillow-like design is used for the proximal and distal elements, then the comfort of the orthosis is improved, but the bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible support material stretched between the spaced frame profiles instead of bulky pillow-like elements. This flexible material provides comfort through conformability while maintaining a compact, non-bulky structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a motorized support device is used to adjust the abduction angle, then the adaptability to individual needs is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic, adjustable support element that can be positioned at different locations between the support frame and body frame to achieve various abduction angles. This mechanical adjustability provides adaptability without requiring expensive motorized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables angle adjustment, and allows adaptation to different users. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex motorized mechanisms while maintaining adaptability.
4Weight of moving object
If the support device is constructed with spaced frame profiles and flexible support material, then the lightweight construction is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible support material stretched between frame profiles, where the flexibility of the material compensates for variations in frame profile spacing. This allows lightweight construction with simpler manufacturing tolerances, as the flexible material adapts to minor dimensional variations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The orthotic (1) has a body frame for supporting on a thorax of an orthotic user. Pelvic restraint and shoulder belts (5, 6) fix the body frame to the user. A support device (3) is fixed to the body frame in an articulated manner. An upper arm fixing belt (10) and a fixing unit (11) determine an arm of the user on the device. The device includes a support frame with frame profiles spaced at a distance from each other. A support material is provided between the profiles. The support frame is supported on the body frame by a support element (4) designed as a wedge, flat element or fixable bar.