Telescoping Physical Therapy Apparatus for Portable Gait Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physical therapy equipment is not portable, making it difficult for practitioners to conduct effective home-based or alternate location therapy sessions due to its bulky design and weight, limiting the availability of equipment for evaluating and improving patient functions such as gait and balance.
Innovation Solution
A portable physical therapy apparatus composed of lightweight, adjustable, and telescoping segments made of materials like plastic, allowing for easy transportation and configuration to various heights for different tests and interventions, facilitating examination and intervention routines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional physical therapy equipment is used, then effective therapy sessions can be conducted, but the equipment is bulky and heavy making it difficult to transport to home or alternate locations
Solution Approach 1:
The physical therapy apparatus is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can be collapsed into one another, reducing the overall size and weight for transportation while maintaining full functionality when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates adjustable height mechanisms allowing it to be configured in multiple positions, enabling it to adapt to different therapy requirements and patient needs while remaining compact for transport
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional physical therapy equipment is used, then comprehensive examination and intervention routines can be performed, but the equipment cannot be easily transported to home-based or alternate location settings
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed to facilitate multiple examination and intervention routines including balance assessments, gait analysis, and various physical therapy exercises, allowing a single portable device to replace multiple specialized equipment pieces
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping segmented design allows the apparatus to be collapsed into a compact form for easy transportation to home or alternate locations while expanding to provide comprehensive therapy capabilities when deployed
3Ease of operation
If physical therapy equipment is designed for portability, then it can be easily transported to home locations, but the equipment may lack the functionality for comprehensive patient evaluation and intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable height mechanism allows the apparatus to be configured for different therapy functions and patient requirements, maintaining comprehensive functionality while preserving portability through compact storage when not in use
Data Source
AI summary
A physical therapy system that includes an apparatus coupled with a plurality of techniques of use thereof. The physical therapy system includes an apparatus having a body that is manufactured from a plurality of segments. The segments comprising the body are slidably coupled and configured to telescopically move so as to provide a collapsed position and an extended position with further providing of intermediate positions. The body of the physical therapy apparatus has a bottom end and a top end wherein the body has a narrowing diameter from the bottom end to the top end. The physical therapy system further includes preferred techniques of use that include but are not limited to picking up the apparatus, walking around the apparatus, disassembly and reassembly of the system, walking to a plurality of apparatus and reaching for the apparatus. Further techniques include placing a foot on top of the apparatus.