Scapulo-Spinal Stabilizer with Abdominal Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing postural devices fail to effectively improve degraded posture and pathologic postural problems while maintaining normal function and tolerability, particularly in the scapulo-spinal region, and often restrict blood flow due to compression of arteries, veins, and nerves through the superior thoracic aperture.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, shirt-like garment made of expansible polyurethane or latex-embedded material with a front-closing zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners, and shoulder blade containment straps that adduct the scapulae, lift the xiphisternum, and increase the diameter of the superior thoracic aperture, relieving compression and improving blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid postural device is used to correct scapulo-spinal posture, then posture improvement is achieved, but blood flow through the superior thoracic aperture is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposture correction effectivenessVSAvoidcompression of arteries, veins, and nerves

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible garment constructed from elastic polyurethane fabric that can deform and adapt to body movements. This flexible material allows the garment to provide postural support while accommodating the dynamic movement of muscles and blood vessels through the superior thoracic aperture, preventing compression of neural and vascular structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The garment utilizes elastic materials that change their physical parameters (flexibility, elasticity) in response to body movements and physiological needs. The elastic fabric can expand and contract, allowing the garment to maintain postural correction during various activities without restricting blood flow or causing compression of underlying structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a flexible garment is used to maintain normal function, then tolerability is improved, but effectiveness in correcting pathologic posture is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerability and normal function preservationVSAvoidposture correction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is divided into functional segments including a front panel, back panel, and side panels with specific fastening mechanisms. Each segment can be independently adjusted and fastened to provide targeted support in different areas of the torso, allowing effective posture correction while maintaining flexibility and comfort through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The garment incorporates dynamic fastening mechanisms such as zippers and hook-and-loop fasteners that allow the wearer to adjust the tightness and positioning of the garment during use. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the garment to adapt to different body types and activity levels, maintaining both effectiveness and tolerability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the superior thoracic aperture is opened to relieve compression, then blood flow is improved, but structural support for the scapulo-spinal region is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression relief and blood flow improvementVSAvoidscapulo-spinal stabilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible elastic fabric provides a supportive yet compliant structure that can open the superior thoracic aperture to relieve compression while maintaining sufficient structural support. The elasticity of the fabric allows it to exert gentle corrective forces on the scapulo-spinal region without creating rigid constraints that would compromise blood flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The garment uses composite construction combining elastic polyurethane fabric with reinforcing elements such as zipper closures and hook-and-loop fasteners. This composite approach provides both the flexibility needed to open the aperture and the structural integrity required for scapulo-spinal stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8894597B2Scapulo-spinal stabilizer with abdominal support for opening the superior thoracic aperture

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 NEWKIRK TRACY A

AI summary

A scapulo-spinal stabilizer with abdominal support for opening the superior thoracic aperture comprises a shirt-like garment for wearing on the torso, the garment having two elongated, semi-rigid thoraco-lumbar support stays disposed in dual, parallel sheaths in a posterior panel thereof, two posterior flexible scapular straps anchored on and angularly depending from superior shoulder portions of the garment, the scapular straps forming a posterior crossing configuration across the support stays, and anterior ends of the scapular straps detachably attached to opposite lateral ends of an anterior rib margin support disposed on the anterior portion of the garment, the scapular stays, scapular straps and anterior rib margin support stabilizing the posture of a wearer and opening the superior thoracic aperture.