Shoulder Immobilizer Structure for Stable Abduction Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoulder immobilizers are uncomfortable and fail to provide adequate support, leading to slower healing and pain, especially during daily activities and sleep, due to their bulky and restrictive designs.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder immobilizer with a rigid or semi-rigid arm support, a bolster, and a body strap that positions the elbow in abduction, providing stable support and allowing for daily activities without the need for a shoulder strap, using hook and loop fasteners for secure attachment and a nonslip surface for comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bulky foam bolster with fabric pouch is used, then the shoulder is immobilized, but the device moves around and does not provide adequate support
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support is divided into distinct segments: upper arm support portion, forearm support portion, and bolster portion. Each segment performs a specific function - the upper arm support stabilizes the shoulder, the forearm support maintains proper positioning, and the bolster provides spacing. This segmentation allows the device to provide reliable support without requiring a single bulky structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolster acts as an intermediary element positioned between the arm support and the patient's body. It provides the necessary spacing to maintain abduction angle while distributing pressure comfortably. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing stable support through a dedicated spacing mechanism rather than relying on a single bulky structure.
2Reliability
If prior art immobilizers provide adequate support, then they are cumbersome and very restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable straps (body strap, shoulder strap, arm straps) that can be modified to accommodate different patient needs and activity levels. The arm support can be positioned at different angles, and the bolster can be adjusted to maintain proper abduction. This adjustability allows patients to participate in daily activities while maintaining adequate shoulder stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows for parameter changes in terms of positioning and configuration. The upper arm support can be angled differently, the forearm support can be adjusted, and the straps can be tightened or loosened. These parameter adjustments enable the device to provide stable support during rest while allowing greater freedom during daily activities, resolving the contradiction between stabilization and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a neck strap is used for support, then the shoulder is immobilized, but it becomes very uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the support function from the neck/shoulder area and relocates it to the arm and torso. The body strap wraps around the torso to provide anchoring, while the arm support and bolster handle the immobilization function. This extraction eliminates the need for uncomfortable neck straps while maintaining effective immobilization through a different support distribution mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies support and pressure at specific local areas rather than concentrating it on the neck. The bolster provides localized spacing at the arm, the body strap distributes pressure around the torso, and the arm support targets specific arm positions. This local quality approach improves comfort by avoiding neck strap pressure while maintaining immobilization effectiveness through distributed local support points.
4Reliability
If the arm is held in abduction position, then healing is promoted, but internal rotation occurs during sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the arm in the correct abduction angle using the bolster and arm support structure. The anterior lobe of the bolster is specifically shaped to prevent internal rotation before sleep occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that even during sleep, the arm maintains the therapeutic abduction position without requiring active patient intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device converts the natural tendency toward internal rotation during sleep into a benefit by using the anterior lobe of the bolster to actively counteract this movement. The lobe's positioning creates a mechanical constraint that transforms the potential harmful internal rotation into maintained proper abduction alignment, promoting healing even during unconscious sleep periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.