Rehabilitation Device with Segmented Tracks for Controlled Shoulder Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rehabilitation methods for shoulder injuries lack the ability to control and customize specific movement ranges, making it difficult to restore functionality effectively due to the complexity of the shoulder joint.
Innovation Solution
A device with a limb movement board and arm stabilizer that allows controlled and customizable motion ranges, utilizing tracks and blockers to guide and limit movement, and an optional goniometer for precise angle control, enabling specific rehabilitation exercises like shoulder adduction, abduction, and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple movements and actions are allowed for shoulder rehabilitation, then the rehabilitation comprehensiveness is improved, but the control precision of each movement range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the complex shoulder movement into multiple independent track apertures, each representing a specific movement range. The arm stabilizer can be positioned on different tracks to isolate and control individual movements, allowing comprehensive rehabilitation while maintaining precision for each specific movement type.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm stabilizer is designed to be movable along multiple track apertures, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the rehabilitation exercise. The stabilizer can be repositioned on different tracks to change the movement range being rehabilitated, providing adaptability while maintaining controlled precision through the track guidance system.
2Reliability
If the shoulder joint complexity is addressed by allowing multiple movements, then the rehabilitation effectiveness is improved, but the difficulty of controlling specific movement ranges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device breaks down the complex shoulder joint movements into segmented track apertures, where each track represents a controlled movement range. This segmentation simplifies the control complexity by providing discrete, pre-defined movement paths while maintaining comprehensive rehabilitation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm stabilizer acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the user's arm and the multiple movement tracks. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies control by allowing the user to select and execute specific movement ranges through the stabilizer's positioning on different tracks, reducing the overall control difficulty.
3Ease of operation
If estimated movement ranges are used in existing treatments, then the treatment simplicity is maintained, but the precision of movement control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The track apertures are pre-configured with specific movement ranges and orientations before use. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for real-time estimation during treatment, as the precise movement paths are already defined by the track geometry, maintaining simplicity while achieving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces the manual estimation and control method with a mechanical guidance system consisting of track apertures and an arm stabilizer. The mechanical constraints of the tracks automatically enforce precise movement ranges without requiring therapist judgment or complex control mechanisms, achieving both precision and simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for training and rehabilitation of a limb is provided. The device provides a board with a plurality of movement tracks to allow for controlled movement of the limb in various directions. Blockers and other controlling structures may be arranged on the device to limit range of motion of the movement of the limb.