Telescoping Limb Repositioning Device with Hook

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with limited leg mobility due to injuries, surgery, or conditions like arthritis face challenges in conveniently positioning their limbs without bending over, necessitating an assistive device that accommodates various limb sizes and types of casts or braces.

Innovation Solution

A repositioning device with a shaft and hook design, allowing users to securely attach the hook to a limb cast or brace, enabling easy lifting and positioning without bending, featuring adjustable length and angle options, and optional features like a wrist strap and LED light for enhanced usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional limb positioning method is used, then the user can position the limb, but the user must bend over which causes strain and inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of limb positioningVSAvoidstrain on user

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a repositioning device as an intermediary tool between the user and the limb. The device includes a handle grip, shaft, and hook that work together to transfer force from the user to the limb, enabling positioning without direct manual manipulation that requires bending over

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-length device is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different limb sizes and cast types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of various limb sizesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a telescoping shaft that can be adjusted in length to accommodate different limb sizes and cast types. The shaft includes nested sections that can extend or retract, allowing the device to adapt to various positioning needs while maintaining a compact form when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If the shaft is made long to reach distant limbs, then the reach is improved, but the device becomes harder to control and more cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft lengthVSAvoidcontrol of device

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The telescoping shaft allows the user to adjust the length dynamically based on the specific positioning task. When a longer reach is needed, the shaft can be extended; when precision control is needed, the shaft can be retracted to a shorter, more manageable length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows for smooth length adjustment and provides mechanical advantage for controlling the device at different lengths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11369507B2Method and device for positioning a limb

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 FRAPPIER DEBRA ANN

AI summary

A patient grasps a handle grip of a repositioning device. The patient may be on a bed or a couch, for example, and wishes to pull the injured limb up onto the bed or couch without having to bend over. The device has a shaft, a handle grip on a proximal end of the shaft and a hook on a distal end of the shaft. The patient secures the hook to something that is about the limb, such as a cast, brace, bandage, or the like. Once the hook is secured, the user pulls the device upwardly to raise the limb. Once the user has positioned the limb as desired, the hook is disengaged.