Segmented Rehabilitation Boot for Swelling Limb Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rehabilitation boots are inflexible and cause discomfort due to swelling of the broken limb, as they cannot adjust to the changing recovery conditions of the limb.
Innovation Solution
A rehabilitation boot design featuring a tubular sleeve divided into a rear plate and lateral plates with adjustable elastic bands and a pivotable toe cover, allowing expansion and adjustment to accommodate swelling and varying limb sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional rehabilitation boot with a tubular sleeve is used to hold the broken calf in position, then the broken calf is held in position, but the tubular sleeve cannot expand when the broken calf swells, causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular sleeve is divided into multiple segments through longitudinal cuts, creating a segmented structure with front, rear, and lateral plates connected by expansion joints. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently, enabling the sleeve to expand when the broken calf swells while maintaining positioning stability through the connected plate structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a plaster cast is used to hold broken limbs in position, then the broken limb is held in position, but once fixed it cannot be adjusted according to recovery conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation boot employs dynamic elements including elastic ribbons that allow adjustment of the front plate position, expansion joints that permit sleeve expansion, and adjustable restricting bands with movable connection points. These dynamic features enable the device to adapt to changing recovery conditions while maintaining limb positioning, unlike static plaster casts.
3Strength
If the tubular sleeve is made rigid to provide structural support, then structural support is provided, but the swelling broken calf is pressed by the tubular sleeve causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular sleeve incorporates flexible expansion joints between its segmented plates, allowing the structure to flex and expand outward when the broken calf swells. This flexible design maintains structural support through the connected plate framework while accommodating volume increases without creating harmful pressure on the swelling limb.
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
Provides a comfortable fit by accommodating swelling and varying limb sizes, enhancing patient comfort during recovery.
Implementation Method 1
The front plate is connected to the main body via multiple elastic bands
Implementation Method 2
One of the restricting bands connects with the rear plate and one of the lateral plates, and the other restricting band connects with the rear plate and the other lateral plate
Data Source
AI summary
A rehabilitation boot has a main body, a front plate, and two restricting bands. The main body has a base and a tubular sleeve. The base has a front end and a rear end opposite to each other. The tubular sleeve is integrally formed at the base and has an opening and two cuts. The opening is disposed at a front side of the tubular sleeve. The two cuts longitudinally extend from a top of the tubular sleeve to the base to divide the tubular sleeve into a rear plate and two lateral plates respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the rear plate. The front plate is connected to the main body via multiple elastic bands. One of the restricting bands connects with the rear plate and one of the lateral plates, and the other restricting band connects with the rear plate and the other lateral plate.