Pivoting Lower Leg Support for Orthopedic Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in bone inspection systems is the difficulty in accurately positioning the lower leg for measurement due to its minute displacement, requiring precise orientation while minimizing burden on the examined person.
Innovation Solution
A bone inspection system with a pivoting base that adjusts the lower leg's orientation by pivoting action, allowing for easy positioning with a single adjustment element, and includes interchangeable support sets for both legs to facilitate efficient examination, along with a swingable load applying mechanism for varying load application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If independent adjustment of proximal and distal support members is provided, then positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases and adjustment difficulty worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment functions of proximal and distal support members into a single integrated pivoting base mechanism. By positioning both support members on the same pivoting base, the system achieves coordinated positioning of both lower leg portions through one adjustment element, resolving the contradiction between positioning flexibility and adjustment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting base serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports both proximal and distal support members, provides the pivoting action for orientation adjustment, and enables coordinated movement of both support members. This multi-functionality improves positioning flexibility while avoiding the need for separate adjustment mechanisms
2Device complexity
If proximal support member position is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy worsens due to limited adjustment range
Solution Approach 1:
By fixing the proximal support member position on the pivoting base while maintaining the base's pivoting capability, the system achieves simple structure without sacrificing positioning accuracy. The pivoting action of the base provides the necessary orientation adjustment while the fixed position ensures structural simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a bone inspecting system for placing the lower legs (L) of an examinee (P) on a proximal support block (26) and a distal support block (28) mounted on a turning base (24). The proximal support block supports the heads of fibula, and the distal support block supports the lateral malleolus or medial malleolus of a tibial distal end of the examinee. The turning base is supported turnably on a turning axis positioned near the knees of the examinee, with respect to a main base (22), and is moved up and down by an elevating mechanism (30) disposed near the ankles. The turning base (24) is turned by the elevating mechanism while bearing the lower legs thereon, thereby positioning the lower legs horizontally.