Back Orthosis Two-Part Shoulder Strap Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing back orthoses lack sufficient adaptability to individual anatomical and pathological conditions, requiring significant effort and trained personnel for adjustment, limiting their effectiveness and comfort during therapy.

Innovation Solution

A back orthosis with a two-part shoulder strap design, adjustable length, and a deflection element system that allows for independent adjustment of upper and lower strap sections, facilitating easier application and customization to patient-specific needs, enhancing wearing comfort and therapeutic efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If back orthoses are designed with fixed structure and single-piece shoulder straps, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to individual patient anatomy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to patient anatomyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder strap is divided into two separate parts: an upper shoulder strap section and a lower shoulder strap section. This segmentation allows each section to be independently adjusted and positioned, enabling the orthosis to adapt to various patient anatomies without requiring an entirely custom-designed device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The orthosis incorporates adjustable elements including the two-part shoulder strap system with independent positioning, and a deflection element that can be relocated along the back element. These dynamic features allow the device to be customized for different patient needs while maintaining a standardized base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If back orthoses are made individually customized for each patient, then adaptability is maximized, but application effort and requirement for trained personnel increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization to patient needsVSAvoidapplication effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The orthosis is pre-configured with adjustment mechanisms including the two-part shoulder strap system and relocatable deflection element positioned on the back element. These preliminary arrangements enable patients or caregivers to perform simple adjustments without requiring specialized training or complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By dividing the shoulder strap into adjustable upper and lower sections, the system allows for easy customization during application. Each section can be independently positioned and secured, simplifying the fitting process while achieving patient-specific adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional single-piece shoulder straps are used, then device structure is simpler, but ease of adjustment and patient comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidshoulder strap structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder strap is divided into an upper shoulder strap section extending from the back element over the shoulder, and a lower shoulder strap section extending from the upper section to the hip belt arrangement. This segmentation enables independent adjustment of each section to optimize comfort and fit for different patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable two-part shoulder strap system allows dynamic reconfiguration to accommodate various patient anatomies and comfort preferences, transforming a static component into an adaptable element that enhances ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the deflection element position is fixed on the back element, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to different patient requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of strap courseVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element is designed to be relocatable along the back element rather than fixed at a single position. This dynamic feature allows the strap course to be adjusted for different patient anatomies and therapeutic requirements while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for the back element itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3659561B1Back orthosis for stabilizing the back of a patient and method of applying the back orthosis
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 BORT
  • EP3659561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3659561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3659561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a back orthosis (10) comprising a back element (12) with a stabilizing body (14) that supports the back, a hip belt assembly (20) connected to the back element, and a shoulder belt assembly (40) with at least two shoulder belt pulleys (42, 44), wherein each shoulder belt pulley, when attached to the patient, is guided from the back element over a shoulder of the patient through at least one deflection element (32) arranged on the back element to the hip belt assembly and can be coupled or coupled to the hip belt assembly.Furthermore, the invention provides that the two shoulder straps are two-part, wherein the two shoulder straps further comprise at least one upper shoulder strap section (46) extending from the back element to over the shoulders, and at least one lower shoulder strap section (48) extending from the upper shoulder strap section over the deflection element arranged on the back element to the hip belt arrangement, and wherein the at least one upper shoulder strap section of one of the two shoulder straps and the at least one lower shoulder strap section of this shoulder strap can be connected to each other via a connecting element (60), so that the length of at least one of the shoulder straps is adjustable.