Skin-Engageable Manipulation Pad for Precise Thrust Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chiropractic techniques face challenges in achieving precise and safe musculoskeletal manipulation due to the compromise between force and precision, often leading to adverse events such as soreness, stiffness, muscle spasms, fractures, and dislocations, as they rely on broad contact areas and leverage which can be tiresome and imprecise.
Innovation Solution
A physical manipulation apparatus with a skin-engageable pad featuring a friction-inducing component, such as a dry adhesive, configured to conform to the morphology of manipulation members, providing enhanced grip and precision through increased coefficient of friction, and optionally including securing arrangements and indicia for accurate anatomical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If broad contact areas and leverage are used to increase force, then the force of thrust manipulation is increased, but precision in magnitude and location is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a skin-engageable pad with a friction-inducing component (such as a textured surface or adhesive) that provides enhanced grip specifically at the contact area between the manipulation member and skin. This localized friction enhancement allows for precise force application at a specific location without requiring broad contact areas, thereby resolving the contradiction between force magnitude and precision in location.
2Force
If broader contact areas are used to increase force, then the force of thrust manipulation is increased, but tiresomeness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-inducing component is localized to the skin-engageable pad area, providing enhanced grip only where needed for force transmission. This localized approach reduces the overall contact area required for manipulation, thereby reducing the practitioner's effort and tiresomeness while maintaining the necessary force for effective manipulation.
3Force
If increased leverage and amplitude are used to achieve sufficient force, then the force of thrust manipulation is increased, but precision in magnitude is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing a friction-inducing component on the skin-engageable pad. This parameter change allows for more effective force transmission with smaller contact areas and reduced leverage requirements, enabling precise control of thrust magnitude without relying on broad contact areas or excessive leverage.
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 apparatus enhances grip and precision, allowing for safer and more effective musculoskeletal manipulation by ensuring precise application of force, reducing the risk of adverse events and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The friction-inducing component may be configured such that a coefficient of friction between the friction-inducing component and the skin surface is increased by increasing a pressure applied to the skin-engageable pad.
Implementation Method 2
The friction-inducing component may comprise an adhesive. The adhesive may comprise a dry adhesive. The dry adhesive may comprise a fibrillary dry adhesive.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a physical manipulation apparatus that is engageable with a skin surface of a human or animal subject. The apparatus may include a skin-engageable pad configured to conform to the morphology of a physical manipulation member such as a digit of a human therapist or a stylus tip of a chiropractic adjustment instrument. The skin-engageable pad may include a friction-inducing component in the form of a biomimetic dry adhesive. The apparatus may include a digit cover (110, 120, 130) configured at least partially to cover a human digit. Instead, the apparatus may be configured as a skin patch having two release liners superimposed, respectively, on opposite sides of the skin-engageable pad. The skin patch may include indicia arranged to indicate a required orientation of the skin patch relative to a targeted anatomical feature such as a spinal segment, or a required direction of movement of the manipulation member.