Static Goniometer Gauge Set for Self-Measured Joint Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional goniometers are difficult for patients to use independently, especially for measuring small joints, limiting their use to clinical settings and preventing home use and telehealth applications due to the need for fine motor skills.
Innovation Solution
A static goniometer gage with fixed elongate lobes and a third lobe for angle measurement, and a set of goniometer gages with varying angles for measuring and tracking joint range of motion, designed for self-use by patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional goniometers with pivoting arms are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates for patients with limited fine motor skills
Solution Approach 1:
The goniometer is divided into multiple static gage components, each with fixed lobes designed for specific measurement ranges. This segmentation allows patients to select the appropriate gage for their needs while maintaining measurement accuracy, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system where static gages with fixed reference lines provide objective measurement criteria. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for patients to manually manipulate and read traditional goniometer scales, improving ease of operation while preserving measurement precision through the fixed reference system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional goniometers requiring fine motor skills are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but adaptability to home use and telehealth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The static goniometer gages are designed for self-service use by patients without requiring therapist assistance or advanced manual dexterity. The fixed lobe design with clear reference lines enables patients to independently perform accurate measurements at home, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the patient to manipulate a traditional goniometer and read the scale, the invention inverts the approach by providing fixed reference lines that the patient simply aligns with their body position. This inversion eliminates fine motor skill requirements while preserving measurement accuracy, enabling home and telehealth use.
3Ease of operation
If traditional goniometers are used in clinical settings, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity for patient use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex traditional goniometer mechanism. By removing the pivoting arms, movable scales, and adjustment mechanisms, only the critical reference lines and measurement geometry remain in the static gage design. This extraction dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision and improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Static goniometer gages having no moving parts are provided in a set of static goniometer gages to permit measurements of angles over a range of angles. Static goniometers in the set having lobes subtending different angles are used to measure joint range of motion in flexion, extension, abduction and adduction and track changes in joint range of motion in response to occupational therapy.