Portable Lower Limb Therapy Device with Wearable Anchor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current at-home rehabilitation devices for lower limbs often lack the capability to provide a combination of active and passive motions, and require users to manually hold devices in place, limiting their effectiveness in facilitating comprehensive rehabilitation exercises.
Innovation Solution
A portable lower limb therapy device with a pulley system and wearable anchor that allows for controlled active and passive force application across multiple planes, enabling users to perform rehabilitative motions without continuous manual effort, and a wearable anchor for securing the device in place, facilitating static progressive stretch therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable at-home rehabilitation device is used, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but the capability to provide comprehensive active and passive motions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to perform multiple rehabilitation functions including active motion, passive motion, and static progressive stretch therapy through a single integrated system with adjustable components, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable resistance mechanisms and movable components that can be configured for different therapy modes (active/passive motion), enabling the system to adapt its characteristics dynamically based on therapeutic requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If users manually hold the device in place, then device stability is maintained, but continuous manual effort is required reducing therapy effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates self-stabilizing features where the device's own structure and components work together to maintain position without requiring continuous user intervention, such as through friction-based holding surfaces and self-locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with pre-configured stabilization features and positioning mechanisms that automatically engage when the device is set up, eliminating the need for continuous manual holding during therapy execution
3Device complexity
If simple mechanical structures are used, then device portability is improved, but controlled force application across multiple planes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates components that enable force application and motion control in multiple spatial dimensions (planes) through clever mechanical arrangements, such as using pulley systems and adjustable angle mechanisms to provide multi-directional force vectors without complex electronics
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 users to perform a wide range of rehabilitative motions, including hip and knee flexion, extension, and circumduction, with controlled speed and force, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes by reducing manual effort and improving accessibility of static progressive stretch therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a pulley system including at least one cord member, at least one connector member, and at least one handle member
Implementation Method 2
the exterior surface includes at least one smooth surface which enables the support base to slide on a discrete surface that is also smooth
Data Source
AI summary
A portable lower limb therapy device having a support base and a force transfer system. The support base includes an exterior surface suitable to slide on smooth surfaces and an interior surface suitable to receive and conform to a foot of a user. The force transfer system embodied through one or two cords integrated with the support base and operates to transfer force applied behind and above the foot of a user that is in the support base to the support base. The portable lower limb therapy device may be used with a wearable anchor that is attachable to the thigh of the user of allows for the cord or cords to be fixed in place for the performance of static progressive stretch therapy motions without requiring ongoing manual force.