Shoulder Wrap with Non-Migrating Gel for Adhesive Capsulitis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoulder thermal therapy devices fail to provide effective cooling and heating to the rotator cuff area, lack compressive support, and restrict shoulder movement, making them inadequate for treating shoulder injuries while allowing full range of motion.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, flexible shoulder wrap using BIO RUBBER material with adjustable compression straps and non-migrating glycerin-based thermal gel packs that conform to the shoulder, allowing for effective heat or cold application and movement, specifically designed to treat frozen shoulder syndromes and adhesive capsulitis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a shoulder wrap uses rigid structure to provide compressive support, then compression effectiveness is improved, but shoulder range of motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder wrap uses a flexible neoprene material that can be molded into a custom-fit shell structure. This flexible shell provides compressive support through its form-fitting design while maintaining the ability to move with the shoulder joint, resolving the contradiction between rigid compression and flexible range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable compression straps and a flexible design that adapts to shoulder movement. The compression force is applied dynamically through adjustable straps rather than rigid fixed structures, allowing compression to be maintained while permitting necessary range of motion.
2Reliability
If thermal packs are secured firmly to the shoulder, then thermal treatment effectiveness is improved, but comfort and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap uses flexible neoprene material that conforms to the shoulder contours, providing secure retention of thermal packs through elastic compression rather than rigid fixation. This maintains thermal contact effectiveness while preserving comfort and flexibility during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap allows adjustment of compression parameters through adjustable straps, enabling optimization of thermal pack retention force. By changing the compression parameter to an adjustable range rather than fixed value, the system maintains reliable thermal treatment while accommodating comfort requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If the shoulder wrap covers the entire shoulder area, then thermal coverage is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap is designed to provide thermal treatment locally to specific shoulder areas that require therapy, rather than uniformly covering the entire shoulder. The molded neoprene structure concentrates thermal coverage in targeted regions, reducing overall material usage and weight while maintaining effective treatment area.
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 wrap provides comfortable, flexible, and adjustable thermal and compression therapy, ensuring effective heat or cold application to all important areas, allowing for full range of motion and improved rehabilitation outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of pockets on the inside surface of the main panel that receive thermal gel material
Implementation Method 2
preferably a non-migrating gel which will easily form to the contours of the shoulder and will remain as an integral plastic mass that will not migrate within the enveloping bag under pressure and gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A heat/cold therapy wrap for the shoulder envelops the shoulder, over the clavicle and down over a portion of the upper arm. Compression against the shoulder is adjustable via a torso strap and a separate compression strap. A pair of pockets receive thermal gel material, preferably a non-migrating gel which will easily form to the contours of the shoulder and will remain as an integral plastic mass, not migrating within the enveloping bag under pressure. The ergonomically designed shoulder wrap is light in weight and engages the shoulder in a way that allows range of motion exercises in which heat/ice therapy combined with motion are useful to treat frozen shoulder syndromes or adhesive capsulitis. In one embodiment of the wrap an arm cuff is provided at the lower end of the device to encircle the upper arm. Another embodiment has no permanent arm cuff but has a versatile compression strap.