Spinal Therapy Manipulating Assembly for Tissue Density Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal therapy devices are cumbersome and energy-intensive due to their design, which makes it difficult to provide personalized and effective treatment for localized vertebral areas along the spine, as each vertebra experiences different stresses and tensions, leading to non-uniform pain distribution.
Innovation Solution
A spinal therapy device with a manipulating assembly that includes coupled manipulating members, which can be driven simultaneously to address areas of differing tissue density, allowing for relative motion and personalized treatment by compensating for differences in tissue stiffness, reducing the need for multiple motors and minimizing noise and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently controlled manipulating members are used to treat localized vertebral areas, then treatment personalization and effectiveness are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manipulating members into a single integrated assembly that can be driven by one motor. The manipulating members are coupled together such that they move in unison while still being able to independently engage different vertebral areas, thus achieving personalized treatment without requiring multiple independent motors and control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulating assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can treat different vertebral areas along the spine, adjust to varying tissue densities, and provide personalized therapy all through a single multi-functional unit driven by one motor, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently controlled manipulating members are used to target specific vertebral areas, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple manipulating members are merged into a single assembly driven by one motor through a unified drive mechanism. This consolidation eliminates the energy waste associated with multiple independent motors and control systems while maintaining the ability to treat localized vertebral areas effectively
3Area of stationary object
If traditional spinal therapy devices are designed to address the entire spine, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the apparatus becomes cumbersome and less effective for localized treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulating assembly is segmented into multiple individual manipulating members that can independently engage different vertebral areas along the spine. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a compact, maneuverable form while providing comprehensive spinal coverage through coordinated action of the segmented components
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulating members are designed with dynamic coupling that allows them to move relative to each other in response to varying tissue densities along the spine. This dynamic adaptation enables the device to effectively treat both localized and extensive spinal areas without requiring a cumbersome fixed structure
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal therapy apparatus includes one or more manipulating assemblies. In some examples a first manipulating member is arranged to engage a spine at a first vertebral area between a spinous process and a transverse process on a first side of a spine and a second manipulating member is arranged to engage the spine at a second vertebral area between a spinous process and a transverse process on the first side of the spine. The first and second manipulating members are coupled together at their proximal ends to permit the first and second manipulating members to be driven simultaneously and the coupling permits motion of the first and second manipulating members relative to one another in an axial direction. In other examples a drive system is adapted to drive first and second manipulating members simultaneously and independently. The disclosure also relates to a spinal therapy bed including such manipulating assemblies and methods of using and training spinal therapy devices.