Adjustable Shoulder Brace Tensioning for Joint Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoulder braces fail to provide effective, customizable, and adjustable support for the shoulder joint, often leading to discomfort, poor fit, and insufficient stabilization, especially during activities that increase the risk of injury or chronic pain.
Innovation Solution
A customizable shoulder brace with a tensioning or compression system that allows users to adjust the direction and magnitude of force applied to the shoulder joint, using a 3D scan for optimal fit and 3D printing for personalized components, enabling real-time adjustments through a tensioning element and adjustable anchor points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing shoulder braces are used, then basic support is provided, but they fail to provide effective, customizable, and adjustable support leading to discomfort and poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder brace incorporates adjustable tensioning elements and compression systems that allow users to dynamically modify the force application in real-time. This enables the brace to adapt to different activities, injury severities, and personal comfort preferences, resolving the contradiction between providing effective support and ensuring comfort through customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows users to change key parameters including the magnitude of force applied to the shoulder joint, the direction of force vectors, and the compression level. By enabling these parameter adjustments, the brace transitions from a fixed, one-size-fits-all design to a customizable system that optimizes both support effectiveness and user comfort.
2Reliability
If fixed force application is used, then simple design is maintained, but insufficient stabilization occurs during activities that increase injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder brace divides the force application system into separate, independently adjustable components including tensioning elements, compression elements, and anchoring systems. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive stabilization, managing the complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the static force application into a dynamic system where users can adjust the magnitude and direction of forces in real-time based on activity requirements. This dynamic capability enhances stabilization reliability during varying activities while the adjustment mechanisms manage device complexity through intuitive controls.
3Ease of manufacture
If generic brace design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but poor fit and discomfort result
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder brace implements local quality by allowing different regions of the brace to have different properties and adjustment capabilities. The compression elements, tensioning elements, and anchoring points can be independently configured to match the specific anatomical and functional requirements of different users, achieving personalized fit while using standardized manufacturing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter changes in the fit and force application characteristics without requiring completely custom-manufactured braces. Users can adjust compression levels, tension forces, and anchor point positions to achieve optimal fit, allowing generic braces to be customized through parameter adjustment rather than requiring complex custom manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and methods for making for shoulder orthoses, which can control the position of the humeral head/arm relative to the shoulder joint by adjusting tension across the joint. The orthoses allows the user to modify the direction and magnitude of force applied while wearing the orthosis. The orthosis may contain cams or extensions to direct and amplify the force around the joint towards a specific range of motion. The orthoses can be made from digitally imaging joints and then partially or fully automating the design of orthosis.