Pannus Support Device Weight Redistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Overweight or obese individuals face difficulties in ambulation and physical activities due to the restrictive nature of abdominal panniculus, which impedes motion and compounds health issues by preventing exercise and routine activities.
Innovation Solution
A pannus support device comprising a pannus pouch that receives the abdominal panniculus, connected to a shoulder support structure via straps, redistributes the weight from the thighs to the shoulders, allowing for increased mobility and reduced impediment to movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the abdominal panniculus is left unsupported, then the individual's natural body structure is maintained, but motion is impeded and range of motion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into distinct functional segments: a pannus pouch to contain and support the abdominal panniculus, shoulder support structures to bear the weight, and straps to connect and adjust the system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while collectively resolving the motion restriction problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device acts as an intermediary structure between the abdominal panniculus and the shoulders. By introducing this intermediate support system, the weight and restriction of the panniculus are transferred to the shoulders, freeing the lower body from the impediment and enabling greater range of motion without directly altering the panniculus itself.
2Ease of operation
If the abdominal panniculus weight is borne by the thighs and lower body, then no additional support structure is needed, but movement and ambulation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder support structures function as counterweight elements, bearing the weight of the abdominal panniculus that would otherwise rest on the thighs and lower body. By redistributing this weight upward to the shoulders, the device counteracts the harmful weight distribution that impedes ambulation, enabling easier movement without reducing the actual weight of the panniculus.
3Ease of operation
If a support device is introduced to redistribute weight, then range of motion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple roles: the pannus pouch both contains and supports the panniculus, the straps both connect components and allow adjustment, and the shoulder structures both bear weight and provide stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting device complexity while achieving improved mobility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a pannus support device that includes a pannus pouch configured to receive an abdominal panniculus of a wearer that is extending to cover at least a portion of the thigh, a shoulder support structure, and at least one strap connecting the pannus pouch to the shoulder support structure. The shoulder support structure, the at least one strap and the pannus pouch are configured to distribute the weight of the abdominal panniculus to the shoulders of the wearer and off at least the portion of the thigh of the wearer. Further disclosed is a system including a removable pannus pouch liner, and a method of distributing the weight of the abdominal panniculus.