Prosthesis Socket with Acupressure Protrusions for Phantom Pain Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prostheses and orthoses often fail to effectively manage acute and chronic pain, including phantom pain, and do not provide a sustainable treatment solution.
Innovation Solution
A prosthesis or orthosis with a shaft having protuberances along acupuncture meridians or nerve tracts for acupressure stimulation, combined with adjustable pressure systems and additional features like magnetic, thermal, and vibrational therapies, to provide prolonged pain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional prostheses or orthoses are used, then basic functional replacement or support is achieved, but pain management (especially chronic and phantom pain) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acupressure therapy elements with the prosthesis/orthosis structure by integrating protrusions into the socket's inner wall. This merging of therapeutic function with structural component allows continuous pain management during wear without requiring separate treatment devices, thereby improving reliability of pain management while avoiding excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis/orthosis itself provides the therapeutic acupressure function through its integrated protrusions that automatically stimulate acupuncture points on the residual limb during normal wear. The device serves both its primary support function and therapeutic pain management function simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate external treatment interventions.
2Duration of action of moving object
If acupressure treatment is applied for chronic pain, then pain relief is achieved, but treatment duration is insufficient for highly specific acute and chronic pain
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated acupressure protrusions provide continuous therapeutic stimulation throughout the entire wearing period of the prosthesis/orthosis (over 12 hours). The protrusions remain in constant contact with the residual limb, delivering uninterrupted acupressure treatment that extends far beyond traditional single-session therapy, thereby achieving sustained pain management without requiring additional user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The acupressure treatment is built into the prosthesis/orthosis structure before use, with protrusions pre-positioned along acupuncture meridians on the residual limb. This preliminary integration ensures that therapeutic action begins immediately upon donning the device and continues automatically without requiring the user to perform any additional actions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protrusions are added for acupressure stimulation, then pain treatment coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acupressure protrusions are strategically positioned at specific locations along acupuncture meridians on the residual limb rather than distributed uniformly throughout the socket. This localized placement targets specific acupuncture points with individual protrusions, providing comprehensive meridian coverage while maintaining a relatively simple overall socket structure without excessive numbers of elements.
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 prolonged acupressure treatment for over 12 hours, effectively managing chronic and acute pain, as well as phantom pain, by stimulating multiple meridians and adjusting pressure points for optimal comfort and therapy outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The inner wall also has at least one protrusion, preferably at least two protrusions, which are arranged along an acupuncture meridian (hereinafter also referred to as a meridian) and/or along a nerve pathway
Implementation Method 2
When acupressure points are warmed, it is called moxibustion therapy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The prosthesis or orthesis has a single-layered or multi-layered prosthesis shaft (9a) for accommodating a body part and comprising an inner wall (11) for limiting a body part retaining area. The inner wall has a protuberance (12) that is arranged along an acupuncture meridian and/or along a nerve tract. The protuberance is formed as a recess for exerting pressure and/or tractive force on acupuncture point. The shaft is designed in a cylinder or conical-shape, where thickness and/or depth of the protuberance is pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically changed. An independent claim is also included for a method for stimulation of acupuncture point.