Portable Spinal Traction Handle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal traction machines are bulky, heavy, and lack portability, making them unsuitable for home use and causing discomfort due to the use of powered motors and complex control systems, which can lead to patient resistance during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A portable spinal decompression machine with a gear-driven mechanism, featuring a rotatable handle that moves longitudinal force bars to apply traction, allowing for controlled and intuitive force application without the need for electricity, enabling patients to apply therapeutic decompression forces to both the cervical and pelvic areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If powered motors and complicated control systems are used in traction machines, then the traction force can be applied automatically, but the machine becomes heavy and bulky, reducing portability and causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces powered motors and electrical control systems with a purely mechanical operation system. The practitioner directly manipulates the traction apparatus through mechanical linkages and levers, eliminating the need for electric motors, batteries, and complex electronic controls. This substitution dramatically reduces machine weight and bulk while maintaining the ability to apply controlled traction forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the heavy powered motor components and complicated control systems from the traction machine. By eliminating these elements entirely and relying on direct mechanical manipulation, the machine becomes portable and suitable for various treatment settings while reducing patient discomfort associated with heavy, motorized equipment.
2Duration of action of moving object
If powered motors are used in traction machines, then continuous traction force can be maintained, but the machine becomes expensive and creates unnecessary separation between practitioner and patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical motor-driven continuous motion with a mechanical system that allows the practitioner to maintain continuous traction through sustained manual manipulation. The mechanical linkages and adjustment mechanisms enable prolonged treatment sessions without requiring complex electrical controls, power supplies, or automated systems.
3Measurement precision
If powered motors are used in traction machines, then precise control of traction force is achieved, but the machine becomes heavy and blocks intuitive feel between practitioner and patient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces motorized force control systems with direct mechanical manipulation mechanisms. The practitioner can precisely control traction force through manual adjustment of mechanical components, maintaining intuitive tactile feedback and direct connection to the patient without the intermediary of heavy motors and sensors.
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 machine provides a comfortable and controlled method for spinal decompression, allowing patients to apply therapeutic forces effectively, reducing muscle resistance and enabling treatment in a home or professional setting, addressing the limitations of conventional machines by being portable and mechanically intuitive.
Implementation Method 1
A drive mechanism, which includes a pinion gear, is operatively coupled to the first rotatable handle. The drive mechanism operatively couples the first rotatable handle to the first force bar causing the first force bar to move longitudinally upon rotation of the first rotatable handle.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal decompression machine includes a portable frame, a user support element, a laterally positioned handle extending from the frame, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the handle. A force bar operatively coupled to the drive mechanism extends longitudinally beyond a longitudinal end of the frame. A harness is attached to the first force bar. The drive mechanism causes the force bar to move longitudinally upon rotation of the handle. A method of providing traction includes positioning a person in a face up position upon the user support element, attaching a harness to a neck or pelvis of the person, the harness attached to a cervical traction bar or a pelvic traction bar, and moving the cervical fraction bar and pelvic fraction bar simultaneously in a common longitudinal direction by moving a handle.