Swing Walker Dynamic Offloading for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with injured or surgically treated feet face excessive impact forces during locomotion, which can exacerbate injuries and are not adequately addressed by existing devices that fail to provide dynamic offloading of weight-bearing limbs, particularly for diabetic neuropathic foot disease.
Innovation Solution
A swing walker system comprising a rocker bottom sole plate, yoke portion, extension leg, and collars that operably couple with the boot to offload weight-bearing limbs, allowing for normal gait function while mitigating ground forces through a combination of straps, cables, and suspension systems aligned with the knee, providing dynamic support and unweighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional casts, braces, or boots are used to protect the foot after injury or surgery, then the foot is stabilized and protected, but the patient's foot is still subjected to all the impact force when it hits the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by using springs and shock-absorbing elements that generate opposing forces to the impact forces. The springs are configured to compress during impact, creating a counteracting force that reduces the net impact force transmitted to the foot, thereby protecting the injured or surgical foot while allowing normal walking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by incorporating shock-absorbing springs and cushioning elements into the boot structure before the patient uses it. These elements are pre-positioned to absorb and dissipate impact forces before they reach the foot, providing continuous protection during the healing process without requiring the patient to avoid weight-bearing activities.
2Reliability
If a patient stays off their feet to allow ulcer healing, then the ulcer can heal without pressure, but the patient cannot maintain normal gait function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics principle by designing a boot system that dynamically adapts to the patient's walking motion. The springs and shock-absorbing elements are configured to activate during impact phases of gait while allowing normal movement during non-impact phases. This dynamic system enables the patient to maintain normal gait function while the off-loading mechanism protects the ulcerated area during critical loading moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by designing the off-loading mechanism to activate periodically during the gait cycle. The springs and cushioning elements engage during impact phases (heel strike, toe-off) when forces are applied to the foot, and disengage or reduce resistance during swing phases. This periodic engagement allows normal gait function while providing protective off-loading precisely when needed for ulcer healing.
3Speed
If hard surfaces are used in modern environments, then locomotion is efficient and fast, but excessive impact forces are transmitted to the musculoskeletal system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies intermediary principle by introducing springs and shock-absorbing elements as intermediary components between the hard ground surface and the patient's foot. These intermediaries absorb and dissipate impact forces from hard surfaces while allowing the patient to walk efficiently on modern hard surfaces. The intermediary elements transform the rigid ground-patient interface into a compliant system that reduces impact forces without significantly affecting walking speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension walker which may be weighted or unweighted is provided. The suspension walker includes a sole plate having a rocker bottom, a yoke portion and an extension leg attached to the yoke portion. A boot received by a patient's foot is operably coupled to the yoke portion by a first fastener and to an upper portion of the extension leg by a second fastener. An extension leg may be operably coupled at a hinge axis to an upper hinged portion. The hinge axis is configured to be aligned with the knee. A below the knee collar operably and securely couples the boot to the extension leg and the yoke portion. An above the knee collar operably secures the upper hinged portion to the patient's thigh.