Soft Tissue Manipulator for Reducing Inflammation and Adhesions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist tenosynovitis, and tendonitis are limited, with temporary relief from nonsurgical methods and imperfect results from surgery, and there is a need for an effective, non-invasive way to perform deep tissue massage and myofascial release, especially for self-treatment.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical device that provides three-dimensional massage motions using a manipulator connected to an orthopaedic brace, allowing for automatic deep tissue massage and myofascial release on the wrist and forearm, Achilles tendon, and other areas, reducing inflammation and adhesions without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wrist immobilization and rest are used to treat soft tissue dysfunctions, then pain relief is achieved, but the relief is temporary and requires prolonged treatment duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary deep tissue massage and myofascial release actions before the inflammation fully develops, preventing adhesion formation and reducing the need for prolonged immobilization treatment later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables continuous treatment through automated cyclic massage motions that can be applied repeatedly over time, maintaining therapeutic effect without the interruption and temporary relief characteristic of manual methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of operation

If manual deep tissue massage is performed to break up micro-adhesions, then tissue mobility is improved, but the treatment requires human intervention and has poor compliance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment complianceVSAvoidautomatic treatment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables patients to self-administer deep tissue massage treatment at home without requiring a therapist, improving compliance through ease of use and eliminating the need for human intervention while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces the manual mechanical action of a therapist's hands with an automated mechanical system that reproduces the same therapeutic massage motions, eliminating the need for human intervention while preserving the therapeutic mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If corticosteroid injections are administered to reduce inflammation, then pain and swelling are reduced, but long term use is unsafe and injections are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflammation reduction effectivenessVSAvoidside effects from long term use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces chemical intervention (corticosteroid injections) with a mechanical therapy approach that uses automated massage and myofascial release to reduce inflammation and break up adhesions, achieving similar therapeutic effects without the harmful side effects of long-term steroid use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If surgery is performed to cut the transverse carpal ligament, then pressure on the median nerve is relieved, but long lasting deficits such as numbness or weakness occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom relief effectivenessVSAvoidlong lasting nerve deficits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies preliminary therapeutic action to prevent the development of severe conditions requiring surgery, and can be used post-operatively to prevent adhesion formation and reduce the risk of long-lasting nerve deficits by maintaining tissue mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The device converts the harmful effect of tissue adhesion and inflammation into a beneficial therapeutic process by using controlled mechanical stress to break up adhesions and promote healthy tissue movement, achieving relief without surgical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS9125786B2Method and device to alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome and dysfunctions of other soft tissues

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 FEMANO PHILLIP ANTHONY

AI summary

The present invention is a device and method to manipulate soft tissues such as tendons using a manipulator that works in conjunction with an orthopaedic device, such as a brace. The manipulator can be an electro-mechanical device. The manipulation can alleviate symptoms of soft tissue dysfunctions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist tenosynovitis and tendonitis, cubital tunnel syndrome, neck tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis. Manipulation alleviates the inflammation and pressure and the concomitant associated pain and other symptoms of the dysfunction. The manipulation, combined with the orthopaedic aspect of the device, allows the limb to rest and recover between manipulative treatments in a suitably stationary position.