Rotatable AFO Cradle for One-Handed Orthosis Donning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with impaired movement on one side of their body face difficulties in donning an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) and shoe using only one hand, as existing devices do not provide stable and adjustable positioning for efficient and safe donning, requiring assistance and limiting independent ambulation.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight AFO and shoe donning apparatus featuring a docking base with a rotatable AFO cradle and adjustable shoe platform, allowing for various angles of positioning to facilitate easy and safe donning using one hand, with the AFO cradle and shoe platform designed for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a patient uses one hand to don an AFO, then independence is improved, but the ability to stabilize and position the AFO is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a donning device as an intermediary tool between the patient and the AFO. The device includes a support structure with a cradle that holds the AFO and a shoe platform that stabilizes the shoe, allowing the patient to don the AFO and shoe using one hand while the device provides the necessary stability and positioning that would otherwise require a second hand or caregiver assistance.
2Reliability
If a fixed positioning device is used, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different patients and positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable elements in the donning device, including height adjustment mechanisms and angular positioning capabilities. The support structure can be adjusted to accommodate different patient sizes, leg lengths, and donning positions, allowing the device to maintain stability while adapting to various patient needs and preferences.
3Manufacturing precision
If a traditional two-handed donning process is used, then proper positioning is ensured, but caregiver dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The donning device is designed to enable patients to don their own AFOs and shoes independently without requiring caregiver assistance. The device provides the necessary support, stability, and positioning guidance, allowing patients with limited hand function to perform the donning process themselves, thereby eliminating caregiver dependency while maintaining proper AFO positioning.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple support structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but functionality for various donning positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable angular positioning mechanisms that allow the cradle and shoe platform to be positioned at various angles. This enables patients to don the AFO in different positions (e.g., seated, standing, or lying down) while maintaining a relatively simple overall device construction that does not require complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) and shoe donning device is disclosed comprising an L-shaped AFO cradle with unitarily formed hinge pins for releasable and rotatable engagement with channels in a docking base for purposes of stabilizing and positioning an AFO for donning by a patient with restricted movement. The AFO cradle can be rotated in a variety of positions within the docking base for donning an AFO using only one hand at a position of choice. A shoe platform is also provided for engagement with the docking base in which includes an inclined upper surface for placement of a shoe and which is designed for releasable engagement with the docking base and with the AFO cradle to stabilize the shoe platform during donning of a shoe. Adjustable pins are provided to accommodate various AFO and shoe sizes during the donning process.