Posterior Spinal Orthosis with Adjustable Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal orthoses for treating upper back pain, osteoporosis, and compression fractures are often cumbersome, require complex strapping, and lack user-adjustability, making them difficult to wear and use effectively for daily activities.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, adjustable extension compression posterior spinal orthosis with a lumbo-sacral compression unit and posterior spinal frame member that can be easily anchored and adjusted by the user, featuring a closure system providing mechanical advantage for encircling compression forces, allowing for customizable thoracic extension and pelvic stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anterior spinal hyperextension orthosis with metal frame and sternum/pubic pads is used, then spinal stabilization and force vector application is achieved, but device weight and wearing comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the heavy metal frame and anterior sternum/pubic pads from the traditional orthosis design, extracting only the essential posterior spinal support function while eliminating cumbersome components. This extraction achieves weight reduction while maintaining spinal stabilization through a lightweight posterior frame with compression forces applied at the thoracolumbar junction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional anterior approach by applying compression forces from the posterior side of the spine. Instead of using anterior sternum and pubic pads to create hyperextension, the design uses a posterior pad and frame to apply compressive forces directly to the spinal column, achieving stabilization without anterior hardware.
2Reliability
If traditional orthosis with fixed strapping arrangement is used, then spinal support is provided, but ease of adjustment for different activities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates adjustable shoulder straps with buckles that allow dynamic modification of the orthosis fit and compression force. Users can adjust the strap tension to accommodate different daily activities, transitioning from rigid support during activity to more comfortable fit during rest, thereby achieving both reliable support and activity adaptability.
3Force
If traditional orthosis with anterior pads is used, then compression forces are applied, but ease of wearing and appearance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the anterior sternum and pubic pads entirely, extracting the compression force application function and relocating it to the posterior side of the body. This elimination of anterior hardware simplifies the donning process and improves appearance while maintaining effective compression force application through the posterior pad and frame structure.
4Reliability
If traditional orthosis with complex strapping is used, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex multi-point strapping system requiring sternum and pubic pad anchorage, reducing the device to essential posterior support components. This simplification maintains spinal stabilization through focused compression at the thoracolumbar junction while dramatically reducing the number of straps, buckles, and adjustment points required.
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 comfortable, user-controlled application of extension and compression forces, promoting healing and pain relief for spinal disorders like thoracic compression fractures and kyphosis, while being easy to don and doff, and accommodating various daily activities without unsightly anterior pads.
Implementation Method 1
a closure unit, operatively connected to the first and second body members, for creating a compressive force about the user's torso... The closure unit provides a mechanical advantage so that a light force applied by the user can create significant encircling compression forces
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal orthosis and method of applying extension and compression forces onto a user spine includes a lumbo-sacral compression unit conforming to a portion of a user's torso and exerting an encircling compressive force to provide a hydraulic lift. A posterior spinal frame member is secured by the lumbo-sacral compression unit to be cantilevered upward along the user's spine. A pair of adjustable shoulder strap assemblies are connected to an upper portion of the posterior spinal frame member and adjacent a lower portion of the posterior spinal frame member to enable a user to adjustably apply a thoracic force with adjustable controlled buckles and straps positioned on the user's chest.