Segmented Orthotic Splint With Cross-Coupling For Adjustable Joint Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthoses for supporting articulated bone members, such as fingers and the spine, lack the ability to provide a medically necessary gradual return to mobility and cannot be adequately adapted to individual degrees of support or fixation, especially for multi-jointed limbs, and often require complete blocking or mechanical support of joints.
Innovation Solution
A modular joint brace with segmented support rails that can be stiffened longitudinally and coupled to adjacent rails, allowing for adjustable support and fixation by using stiffening elements and cross-coupling mechanisms, enabling individual adjustment and adaptation to specific medical needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional orthoses use complete blocking or mechanical support of joints, then joint stability is improved, but adaptability to individual degrees of support or fixation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support rail is divided into multiple segments that can be independently adjusted. Each segment can be positioned at different angles and fixed at various degrees of mobility, allowing the orthosis to provide customized support for each joint while maintaining overall stability. This segmentation enables the device to adapt to individual patient needs without requiring complete blocking or uniform mechanical support across all joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthosis incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the degree of support or fixation to be modified during treatment. The segments can be repositioned and resecured at different angles, enabling gradual return to mobility or increased fixation as needed. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same device to provide both stability and adaptability throughout the rehabilitation process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional orthoses provide complete blocking of joints, then joint fixation is improved, but gradual return to mobility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable segment design allows the orthosis to transition from a completely fixed state to a gradually mobile state. By adjusting the segment positions and securing mechanisms, the device can provide complete blocking initially for proper fixation, then progressively allow increased range of motion as healing progresses, enabling gradual return to mobility without requiring device replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthosis enables change in the mobility parameter of the supported joints over time. The segments can be positioned to restrict movement completely during the acute phase, then gradually adjusted to permit increasing ranges of motion during rehabilitation. This parameter change capability allows the device to provide both complete fixation when needed and gradual return to mobility when appropriate.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional orthoses use simple support plates and bandages, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to multi-jointed limbs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support rail is constructed as a segmented structure that can be assembled to accommodate multi-jointed limbs. Each segment corresponds to a specific joint region and can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmented design maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to complex multi-jointed anatomical structures compared to simple support plates and bandages.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented support rail design creates a universal orthosis that can adapt to various multi-jointed limbs through adjustment of segment positions and angles. The same basic segmented structure can be configured to support different combinations of joints, providing multi-functionality without requiring completely different devices for each application.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an articular support for supporting bones (50) that are connected to each other by joints, said articular support comprising at least one support splint (10) which consists of at least two segments (12). Said support splint (10) has at least one guide (16) per segment (12) for receiving a reinforcing element (30) for longitudinally coupling the at least two segments (12) and coupling means (11,21,18,32) for transversely coupling the support splint (10) with at least one additional, adjacent support splint (20).