S-Shaped Spine Support Assembly for Full-Spine Force Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic back support articles primarily focus on supporting the lumbar spine and may not effectively measure, absorb, or subsume the various forces exerted on the spine throughout the cervical, thoracic, and sacral regions, leading to potential misalignment and pain.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic, anatomic, and conforming spine force modulating assembly with a frame made of carbon fibers, oriented at 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis, designed to support the spine from T3 to S1, featuring shoulder and waist straps for secure attachment, and a flexible, lightweight structure to distribute and balance spinal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional orthopedic back support articles are used to support the lumbar spine, then lumbar support is provided, but they fail to effectively measure, absorb, or subsume forces exerted on the spine throughout the cervical, thoracic, and sacral regions
Solution Approach 1:
The back support article is divided into multiple functional segments: a cervical support portion for the neck region, a thoracic support portion for the mid-back, a lumbar support portion for the lower back, and a sacral support portion for the pelvic region. Each segment is positioned to contact and support its corresponding spinal region, enabling the device to address forces across all major spinal areas rather than just the lumbar region.
Solution Approach 2:
The back support article is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously supports four different spinal regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral). The single article structure integrates multiple support portions that can collectively measure, absorb, and subsume forces across the entire spine, making it a universal solution for comprehensive spinal support rather than requiring multiple separate devices.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid frame structure is used to support the spine, then spinal alignment is maintained, but freedom of movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The back support article employs flexible support portions rather than rigid structures. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral support portions are designed to conform to the natural contours of the spine and allow physiological movements while maintaining proper alignment. This flexibility enables the device to adapt to dynamic spinal positions during movement while still providing stabilizing support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portions are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to adapt to changing spinal positions and movements. The flexible materials and structures can deform and reconfigure as the spine moves, maintaining alignment support throughout the range of motion rather than restricting movement to fixed positions.
3Strength
If heavy materials are used to provide adequate support, then spinal force absorption is improved, but device weight increases reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The back support article utilizes composite material construction that combines lightweight materials with high strength-to-weight ratio properties. The support portions are engineered to provide adequate spinal force absorption and structural integrity while minimizing overall device weight, enhancing wearer comfort during prolonged use.
Data Source
AI summary
A spine force modulating assembly for supporting a human spine that prevents, slows down, and or treats spine-related disorders. The spine force modulating assembly includes a frame of a length proportional to a distance between a third thoracic spine bone and a first sacral spine bone of a spine of a wearer of the spine force modulating assembly. The frame is of a “S” shape and configured to support a spine portion between the third thoracic spine bone and the first sacral spine bone. The spine force modulating assembly further includes a pair of should straps extending from near the upper end of the frame and a pair of waist straps extending from near the lower end of the frame.