Shoulder Brace with Ringed Sling for Pendulum Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder braces are inadequate for early rehabilitation exercises as they primarily immobilize the shoulder, can cause contracture and myotrophy, hinder movement, and may lead to displacement of fractured parts or muscle inflammation, especially when used for extended periods or during Codman's pendular motion.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder brace design featuring a first layer with shoulder attachment portions and a second layer with a ringed sling that allows for simple-pendulum exercises in forward and backward directions while maintaining the forearm in a physiological reference position, reducing the risk of displacement and supporting the upper extremity to prevent hanging, thus enabling early rehabilitation without removing the brace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional shoulder braces are used to immobilize the shoulder, then stability of the injured shoulder is improved, but the patient cannot perform early rehabilitation exercises and may develop contracture
Solution Approach 1:
The brace transitions from a static immobilization device to a dynamic rehabilitation tool by enabling pendulum motion. The sling configuration allows the arm to swing freely in an arc while maintaining shoulder stabilization, transforming the brace function from purely restrictive to actively rehabilitative.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stabilizes the injured shoulder, enables pendulum rehabilitation exercises, and maintains proper arm positioning. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the brace adaptable to both protection and rehabilitation needs.
2Reliability
If the shoulder is kept immobilized for extended periods, then protection of the injured area is improved, but contracture and muscle atrophy occur
Solution Approach 1:
The brace enables periodic pendulum swinging motions while maintaining overall shoulder protection. This periodic movement prevents the harmful effects of continuous immobilization by introducing controlled, rhythmic motion that maintains tissue health without compromising protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace allows continuous rehabilitation exercises to be performed while wearing the device, eliminating the need to remove the brace for therapy. This continuity ensures both protection and rehabilitation occur simultaneously without interruption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional braces restrict movement to prevent displacement, then safety of the fractured part is improved, but rehabilitation exercise capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brace applies stabilization locally at the shoulder joint while allowing freedom of movement in the pendulum motion path. The sling configuration provides targeted support where needed (shoulder) while permitting necessary motion (arm swinging) for rehabilitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace restricts movement in certain dimensions (preventing shoulder displacement) while enabling movement in another dimension (pendulum arc). This dimensional differentiation allows simultaneous protection and rehabilitation by separating restrictive and permissive motion directions.
4Ease of operation
If the arm is allowed to hang freely during pendulum exercise, then natural motion is improved, but displacement of fractured parts may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sling acts as a counterbalancing support that offsets the harmful effects of gravity on the hanging arm. By providing opposing support force, the sling enables natural pendulum motion while preventing excessive movement that could cause displacement of fractured parts.
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
The shoulder brace allows for safe and early rehabilitation exercises by stabilizing the shoulder in a physiological reference position, reducing the risk of displacement and inflammation, and enabling patients to perform simple-pendulum motions immediately after injury or surgery, thereby shortening immobilization periods and reducing the burden on the affected area.
Implementation Method 1
The sling... running through the armpit up to the back end of the shoulder portion (21a), wherein the patient fitted with the shoulder brace is able to take a simple-pendulum exercise... while retaining the forearm at the shoulder internal-rotation angle of the physiological reference position
Implementation Method 2
A shoulder brace for a simple-pendulum motion... wherein the patient fitted with the shoulder brace is able to take a simple-pendulum exercise in the frontward and backward directions
Data Source
AI summary
A shoulder brace can be fitted to a patient having an externally injured shoulder in the initial stage of treatment and which enables the patient to make motions in directions suitable for early rehabilitation exercises for the injured shoulder. The shoulder brace is fitted to the patient having the externally injured shoulder in a physiological reference position where the elbow joint of the patient is flexed by an angle of 90° in the frontward direction and the shoulder is internally rotated by an angle of 30°.