Portable Balance Pole Assembly for Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physical and occupational therapy tools are often stationary, limiting their portability and ability to address both physical and cognitive rehabilitation needs simultaneously, with most tools being narrowly focused on single types of activities and requiring patients to visit a clinic.
Innovation Solution
A portable balance pole assembly with adjustable height and angle, combined with manipulable objects like rings, allowing for a range of motions and cognitive actions, enabling versatile physical and occupational therapy routines that can be conducted in various settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If balance poles are made as fixed or stationary structures, then stability and reliability are improved, but portability and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The balance pole is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be extended or retracted. This segmentation allows the pole to be compact for transport yet extended to provide stable support during therapy activities, resolving the contradiction between portability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance pole incorporates adjustable height mechanisms and movable components that allow it to adapt between a compact state for transport and an extended stable state for use. This dynamic capability enables the pole to optimize its characteristics based on operational requirements.
2Reliability
If therapy tools are designed for dedicated single-type activities, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The balance pole system is designed to support multiple therapy activities including sitting balance, standing balance, gait training, and cognitive exercises. By integrating various attachment points, height adjustments, and configurable elements, a single pole structure can facilitate diverse therapeutic interventions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapy system incorporates adjustable components that allow reconfiguration for different therapy types. Height adjustments, angle modifications, and detachable attachments enable the same equipment to adapt dynamically between physical and cognitive therapy activities, maintaining reliability across different applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If balance poles are made as fixed structures with multiple configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The balance pole is constructed from modular telescoping sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation provides multiple height configurations without requiring complex fixed structures, as each section can be extended or retracted to create the desired configuration, simplifying the overall design while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixed multi-configuration structures, the system uses dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow users to change configurations as needed. This approach reduces structural complexity by replacing multiple fixed components with adjustable elements that achieve the same adaptability through movement and repositioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Portable physical and occupational therapy systems and methods with an adjustable balance pole assembly utilized as a target in combination with a number of manipulable objects, such as rings, that engage the target, for the purpose of exercising patients through a range of motions and through a range of cognitive actions. A basic therapy tool set incorporates a target pole of variable height, pivotally positioned on a target base. Each therapy tool set includes a number of therapy rings sized and structured to engage the target pole. The angle of the target pole may be varied by releasing a pole angle lock. The basic therapy tool set may be utilized alone or in combination with additional sets. A basic kit that may be utilized by a therapist could preferably involve three complete therapy tool sets assembled and positioned in an array around a therapy patient.