Shoulder Traction Brace Assembly for Supine Joint Decompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to effectively maintain the shoulder joint in a decompressed, neutral alignment during rest or sleep, particularly for individuals with shoulder injuries or conditions like rotator cuff repair, adhesive capsulitis, and osteoarthritis, leading to intensified pain due to mechanical compression and loss of gravitational traction.
Innovation Solution
A brace assembly with an arm brace secured to the upper arm and a lower body anchor, utilizing an elastic cord to apply inferior traction, allowing forearm movement while minimizing torque and maintaining joint decompression, combined with a support cushion to restore neutral positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (pillows, positional bolsters, medications) are used to manage shoulder pain during rest, then some level of pain management is achieved, but they fail to maintain the joint in a decompressed, neutral alignment that would reduce pain-causing mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shoulder traction device as an intermediary mechanical system that applies controlled inferior traction force to the humeral head through a cord and weight system. This mediator restores proper anatomical alignment and decompresses the shoulder joint, directly addressing the harmful mechanical compression that conventional pillows and medications fail to resolve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces ineffective passive mechanical support (pillows, bolsters) with an active mechanical traction system. The device uses a cord-connected weight system to apply controlled inferior traction force, substituting the inadequate gravitational support of conventional methods with a dedicated mechanical force system that actively maintains joint decompression.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the body is positioned upright to allow the arm to hang freely and simulate gravitational traction on the shoulder, then joint decompression is achieved, but the patient cannot rest or sleep in this position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing inferior traction force through a cord and weight system to simulate the effect of gravity acting downward on the arm when the body is upright. This anti-gravity approach counteracts the superior migration tendency of the humeral head during supine positioning, enabling joint decompression while the patient rests or sleeps in a comfortable horizontal position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic equilibrium system where the traction force can be adjusted and maintained throughout sleep positions. The cord and weight system provides continuous adaptive traction that maintains joint decompression regardless of body position changes, allowing the patient to move and rest naturally while the therapeutic force remains constant.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traction force is applied to the arm to decompress the shoulder joint, then joint alignment is improved, but torque may be generated at the elbow joint during forearm movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies traction force locally at the distal arm or hand rather than directly at the shoulder, allowing the force to be transmitted through the kinetic chain to the humeral head. This local application point is strategically chosen to minimize rotational moments at intermediate joints like the elbow, reducing torque while maintaining effective superior-inferior traction on the shoulder joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reproduces the natural gravitational traction effect that occurs when the arm hangs freely at the side in an upright position. By copying this natural biomechanical scenario through a cord and weight system, the device achieves therapeutic traction without creating abnormal torque at the elbow joint, as the force vector mimics natural anatomical loading patterns.
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 brace assembly provides effective, non-invasive traction that simulates gravitational decompression, reducing mechanical compression and pain, enhancing comfort and functional movement, suitable for conditions such as rotator cuff repair, adhesive capsulitis, and osteoarthritis, while allowing natural sleep positions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic cord having a first end secured to the arm brace at a near connection point and a second end secured to the lower body anchor at a far connection point. The elastic cord is configured to apply inferior traction to the upper arm
Data Source
AI summary
A brace assembly for applying traction to a shoulder of a user in a supine position that includes an arm brace configured to be secured to an arm homolateral to the shoulder of the user, a lower body anchor configured to be secured to a leg of the user, and an elastic cord having a first end secured to the arm brace at a near connection point and a second end secured to the lower body anchor at a far connection point. The elastic cord is configured to apply inferior traction to the upper arm, such that distractive force is transmitted to a shoulder joint of the shoulder. The arm brace is configured to position the near connection point adjacent to the elbow joint, thereby allowing forearm abduction and flexion of the elbow joint while preventing abduction of the upper arm and minimizing torque at the elbow joint during forearm abduction.