Adjustable Patella Support Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current osteoarthritis knee braces fail to provide adequate support and comfort, particularly in managing chronic pain and maintaining mobility due to inadequate alignment and adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A knee brace design featuring a flexible, tubular sleeve with lateral and medial stiffeners, an adjustable patella support with elongated strips, and a circumferential strap for customizable fit and alignment, along with optional padding and condyle pads for enhanced comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid knee brace is used to provide structural support and alignment, then knee joint stability is improved, but comfort and skin irritation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible sleeve made of neoprene or similar material as the base structure, replacing traditional rigid shells. This flexible sleeve conforms to the knee's natural shape and allows skin breathing, reducing irritation while maintaining comfort. The rigidity is then selectively added through internal stiffeners rather than the outer shell itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible sleeve for comfort, internal stiffeners for structural support, and separate adjustable components for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an adjustable patella support is added to improve alignment and reduce pain, then knee joint alignment is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patella support incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including pull strips for tension adjustment and movable components that can be positioned at different heights. This allows the support to adapt to individual anatomical variations and provide optimal alignment without requiring a completely custom-designed complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patella support allows adjustment of multiple parameters including tension (via pull strips), vertical position (via movable components), and engagement depth. These parameter adjustments enable precise alignment control while using relatively simple structural elements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple stiffeners and adjustment mechanisms are incorporated to improve support and alignment, then knee joint stability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The brace incorporates self-adjusting features such as elastic components that automatically tension, pull strips that provide intuitive feedback during adjustment, and elastic bungee cords that self-regulate tension. These features reduce the cognitive load and complexity of adjustment while maintaining stable support.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible and elastic sleeve is used to improve comfort and mobility, then skin comfort is improved, but structural support is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sleeve serves as the primary comfort interface with the skin, made from breathable neoprene or similar materials that allow moisture vapor transmission and conform to the knee's shape. Structural support is then layered internally through stiffeners, creating a composite structure where the flexible outer layer provides comfort and the internal elements provide rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace combines multiple materials with different properties: flexible neoprene or spandex for the sleeve, rigid plastic or metal for stiffeners, and elastic materials for tension components. This composite construction allows simultaneous optimization of comfort, support, and adjustability.
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 design allows for improved knee joint alignment, reduced pain, and increased mobility by providing adjustable support that follows the natural range of motion, while minimizing skin chafing and discomfort through customizable tension and alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible and elastic sleeve having a tubular shape
Data Source
AI summary
A global osteoarthritis knee brace or orthopedic support includes a flexible, elastic sleeve having a tubular shape with a patella opening at an anterior surface with slits on either side of the opening. The brace includes a first pair of rigid longitudinal stiffeners pivoted therebetween at a hinge that is disposed at the lateral side of the sleeve and likewise at the medial side of the sleeve. The brace further includes an adjustable, flexible patella support having elongated strips at the ends thereof, wherein the patella support is positioned in the interior of the sleeve proximate with the patella opening, where the elongated strips pass from the interior of the sleeve through the slits to the exterior of the sleeve, and extend upward to be adjustably anchored to the sleeve. The wearer pulling on the elongated strips adjusts the patella support.