Pivotable Bridge Hard Frames for Joint Orthosis Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rigid joint orthoses, such as knee, wrist, ankle, and elbow orthoses, cause mechanical overstressing and tissue injuries due to pressure and shear stress, and compensating solutions like pads reduce the support effectiveness and stability.
Innovation Solution
A hard frame design with pivotable bridges connecting joint splints, allowing the bridges to tilt in the direction of joint flexion or extension, reducing pressure and shear stress by compensating for tissue elasticity and inelasticity, and incorporating tension belts or elastic bandages for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid bridges are used to connect joint splints for firm fixation, then the orthosis stability is improved, but mechanical overstressing and tissue injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is designed with pivotable joints that allow dynamic adjustment between rigid and flexible states. During movement, the bridge can pivot to accommodate tissue elasticity, reducing mechanical stress on tissues while maintaining orthosis stability during static positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge's mechanical properties are changed through the introduction of pivotable joints, allowing the structure to transition between rigid (for stability) and flexible (for stress distribution) states based on operational requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pads are added to distribute pressure, then tissue stress is reduced, but orthosis migration and reduced support effectiveness occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using static pads that compromise fixation, the bridge incorporates pivotable joints that dynamically adapt to tissue movements. This allows the structure to maintain firm coupling while accommodating tissue elasticity through controlled pivoting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable joints act as intermediaries between the rigid bridge structure and the soft tissue, allowing relative movement without compromising the overall stability or causing tissue stress concentration.
3Strength
If the bridge is made rigid for structural strength, then the support function is improved, but pressure and shear stress on tissues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is segmented into multiple sections connected by pivotable joints, allowing each segment to independently pivot and accommodate tissue movements while maintaining overall structural strength through the distributed joint connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically adaptable structure with pivotable joints that can pivot in response to tissue elasticity, reducing pressure and shear stress while maintaining necessary strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hard frame (100) for a joint-bridging extremity joint orthosis, containing two mutually opposed longitudinally extending joint splints (110, 120), the proximal joint arms (113, 123) thereof being connected to one another via a transverse proximal bridge arch (310) and forming a proximal extremity holder (300), and the distal joint arms (112, 122) of which being connected to one another via a transverse distal bridge arch (210) and forming a distal extremity holder (200). According to the invention, at least one of the bridge arches (210) is mounted on joint arm ends (114, 124) of the associated joint arms (112, 122) of the joint splints (110, 120) connecting the bridge arch (210), noreover is mounted pivotably about at least one pivot axis (222) at a joint (220).