Rehab Garment With Integrated Elastomeric Bands For Rotator Cuff Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint rehabilitating devices do not effectively support and rehabilitate injured shoulder joints, particularly the rotator cuff, during the rehabilitation process.
Innovation Solution
A wearable shirt with integrated channels and elastomeric bands that apply tension to pre-determined pressure points on the shoulder, providing support and resistance to facilitate healing and rehabilitation of the rotator cuff.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric bands are integrated into a shirt to provide shoulder support, then rehabilitation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shirt garment with integrated elastomeric bands and channels into a single unified device. The bands are embedded within the shirt fabric through channels, merging the support function with the garment structure. This integration provides effective shoulder rehabilitation support while maintaining a relatively simple wearable device format.
2Manufacturing precision
If channels are integrated into the shirt to route elastomeric bands, then tension application to pressure points is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shirt is divided into functional segments with specific channels routed at predetermined locations corresponding to pressure points on the shoulder. The elastomeric bands are segmented into multiple sections that can be independently positioned within channels. This segmentation allows precise tension application to specific pressure points while enabling modular manufacturing of the shirt components.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels are pre-integrated into the shirt fabric during manufacturing, with predetermined routing paths established before the elastomeric bands are attached. This preliminary structuring of the shirt with built-in channels simplifies the subsequent assembly process and ensures accurate positioning of tension application points on the user's shoulder.
3Reliability
If elastomeric bands extend along pre-determined pressure points, then rotator cuff support is improved, but device comfort may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric bands are positioned to apply tension specifically at predetermined pressure points on the shoulder that correspond to rotator cuff anatomy. The shirt structure provides localized support where needed while maintaining comfort in other areas. The channels are routed to distribute tension evenly across specific anatomical locations rather than applying concentrated pressure, balancing therapeutic effectiveness with wearer comfort.
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
The device effectively supports the rotator cuff during healing, enhances the rehabilitation process by providing resistance, and promotes comfortable recovery by distributing tension evenly.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of elastomeric bands are each routed through respective ones of the channels in the shirt thereby facilitating each of the elastomeric bands to extend along the pre-determined pressure points associated with rotator cuff injuries. Each of the elastomeric bands imparts tension into the pre-determined pressure points to support the user's rotator cuffs while the user's rotator cuffs are healing from injury.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint rehabilitating garment assembly includes a shirt that is wearable on a user's torso such that the shirt covers each of the user's shoulders. The shirt has a plurality of channels integrated into the shirt and each of the channels is strategically positioned on the shirt such that each of the channels extends along pre-determined pressure points associated with supporting a rotator cuff injury in the user. A plurality of elastomeric bands is each of the elastomeric bands is routed through respective ones of the channels in the shirt thereby facilitating each of the elastomeric bands to extend along the pre-determined pressure points associated with rotator cuff injuries. Each of the elastomeric bands imparts tension into the pre-determined pressure points to support the user's rotator cuffs while the user's rotator cuffs are healing from injury.