Segmented Body Trunk Supporter for Lumbar Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional back supporters that wrap around the abdomen compress internal organs, leading to discomfort, breathing difficulties, digestive issues, and cardiovascular problems, making it difficult to eat, drink, or engage in daily activities, and can exacerbate back pain by limiting muscle movement.
Innovation Solution
A body trunk supporter with a belt-like lower band section around the pelvis, an X-shaped middle band section that presses the lumbar region, and separate upper band sections that wrap around the chest, maintaining the natural S-shaped spinal curve without compressing the abdomen, using hook-and-loop fasteners for easy adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the back supporter is wrapped tightly around the abdomen to increase abdominal pressure and relieve low back pain, then the pain relief effect is improved, but the wearer experiences discomfort, breathing difficulties, and digestive problems due to compression of internal organs
Solution Approach 1:
The back supporter is divided into three separate band sections (lower, middle, upper) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. The lower band section wraps around the pelvis, the middle band section presses the lumbar region, and the upper band sections wrap around the chest, eliminating the need for tight abdominal compression while maintaining pain relief effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the abdominal compression function from the traditional back supporter design. By removing the continuous wrap-around structure that compresses the abdomen and replacing it with separate band sections positioned at the pelvis, lumbar, and chest, the harmful abdominal compression is eliminated while preserving the therapeutic support effect
2Reliability
If the back supporter compresses the abdomen to provide support, then the lumbar and abdomen are fixated and pain is alleviated, but the wearer must take off the supporter at mealtimes and refrain from wearing it after meals
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the supporter into separate band sections positioned at the pelvis, lumbar, and chest, the invention eliminates abdominal compression while maintaining lumbar support. This allows the wearer to eat and drink comfortably without needing to remove the supporter, as the segmented design does not interfere with digestive organ function
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the back supporter is worn for a long time to maintain pain relief, then the support effect is sustained, but harmful effects occur including breathing problems, digestive system problems, and cardiovascular problems
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with separate band sections at the pelvis, lumbar, and chest allows prolonged wear without harmful effects. The lower band section around the pelvis and middle band section pressing the lumbar provide continuous support, while the upper band sections around the chest maintain posture, all without compressing abdominal organs or restricting breathing and blood flow
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the abdominal compression mechanism from the design, the invention eliminates the harmful effects associated with prolonged wear such as breathing difficulties, digestive problems, and cardiovascular issues, while maintaining the ability to provide sustained lumbar support through the middle band section
4Reliability
If the back supporter limits motion of back and abdominal muscles to provide support, then the lumbar and abdomen are fixated and pain is reduced, but the muscles are weakened over time and pain increases when the supporter is unfastened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies support locally at the lumbar region through the middle band section, rather than through continuous abdominal compression. This localized support at the precise area needing reinforcement provides pain relief while allowing natural muscle movement and function in other areas, preventing overall muscle weakening
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented band sections provide targeted support at specific anatomical locations (pelvis, lumbar, chest) without creating continuous compression that would limit overall muscle motion. This allows muscles to maintain their natural range of motion while receiving support where most needed
Data Source
AI summary
A body trunk supporter provided with: a belt-like lower band section that is adapted to be wrapped around and positioned at the pelvis of a user; an X-shaped stretchable middle band section that has a pair of lower end parts joined to the lower band section and that presses areas of the lumbar region of the user; and a pair of upper band sections that are jointed to a pair of upper end parts of the middle band section and that are adapted to be wrapped around and positioned at the chest of the user,wherein the pair of lower end parts of the middle band section are configured to be joined to areas ranging from positions that are immediately lateral to the pelvis of the user to adjacent anterior positions thereof in the lower band section; andthe pair of upper band sections are configured to be separated from each other and to extend in bilaterally opposite directions in an unfolded state, and are configured to be wrapped around and positioned near fifth to tenth ribs of the chest of the user.