Pivoting Lower-Limb Support for Adjustable Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients recovering from lower leg injuries or surgeries face challenges in conveniently elevating their limbs, leading to potential edema and prolonged recovery due to the lack of suitable support devices when not at home or outdoors.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pivoting mechanism and driving mechanism that allows the limb support to move between retracted and extended positions, providing adjustable elevation and support for the lower limb, including a housing with adjustable straps and shock-absorbent materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a patient uses a stool or furniture to elevate their limb, then the limb can be elevated, but the height and comfort cannot be adjusted to suit different situations and users
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the limb support to dynamically adjust between a retracted position (parallel to the longitudinal axis) and an extended position (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). This dynamic adjustment enables the support surface to extend further to accommodate different limb lengths and elevation requirements, while maintaining ease of operation through simple pivoting motion.
2Area of stationary object
If the limb support is extended to provide adequate support, then the support area increases, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The limb support is divided into a base portion (attached to the housing) and an extendable support surface. The pivoting mechanism creates a fulcrum point that allows the support surface to rotate independently, providing extended support area without requiring the entire device structure to be complex. The support surface can be segmented to pivot at strategic points, achieving large support area with simple mechanical components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to provide adequate limb support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism is designed to utilize the patient's own body weight and natural limb positioning to automatically achieve the correct support angle and position. The fulcrum-based design allows gravity and body mechanics to assist in maintaining the extended position, reducing the need for complex locking mechanisms, motors, or adjustment systems. This self-service approach ensures reliable limb support while keeping the device structure simple and easy to manufacture.
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
Enables convenient and effective limb elevation, promoting venous blood flow and reducing the risk of edema, even in non-hospital settings, by ensuring comfortable and stable support for the lower limb.
Implementation Method 1
The lower limb needs to be elevated relative to the heart of the patient to harness the force of gravity to assist venous return
Implementation Method 2
The housing may include shock absorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A device for supporting a lower limb of a subject. The device has a housing for a lower limb and a limb support. The housing has a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lower limb. A driving mechanism connected between the housing and the limb support, causes movement of the limb support between a retracted position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and an extended position in which the limb support extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the housing to support the lower limb.