Therapeutic cushion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spine-engaging devices fail to effectively address the negative impact of gravity on the human spine, leading to muscular tension and poor posture by not simultaneously targeting and aligning all vertebral sections.

Innovation Solution

A therapeutic cushion designed to utilize gravity for gentle flexion and stretching of the entire spine, featuring a medium-density polyurethane foam construction with distinct sections for the head, torso, and lower body, promoting alignment of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae through ergonomic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If existing spine-engaging devices are used, then some spinal support is provided, but they fail to simultaneously target and align all vertebral sections, resulting in poor posture and muscular tension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal alignment precisionVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion is divided into distinct functional zones: a head support region with a depression for cervical alignment, a thoracic support region with elevated surfaces, and a lumbar support region. This segmentation allows each zone to independently address specific vertebral sections while working together to achieve comprehensive spinal alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion incorporates curved and contoured surfaces that match the natural curvature of the spine. The head support features a depression that cradles the cervical vertebrae, while the thoracic and lumbar regions have elevated curved surfaces that promote proper spinal curvature and alignment when the user lies upon the cushion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If the cushion uses medium-density polyurethane foam construction, then gentle flexion and stretching of the spine is achieved, but the device requires specific ergonomic design complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal flexibility improvementVSAvoidergonomic design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion utilizes medium-density polyurethane foam, which provides optimal balance between support and compliance. This material density allows the cushion to gently flex and stretch the spine without being too soft to provide support or too rigid to allow natural spinal movement and realignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the cushion targets all three vertebral sections simultaneously, then comprehensive posture improvement is achieved, but the device requires multiple distinct functional sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposture correction effectivenessVSAvoidcushion section complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single cushion device performs multiple functions: supporting the head and neck in proper alignment, maintaining thoracic spinal curvature, and providing lumbar support. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated design of three distinct support regions that work together to address all major vertebral sections simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cushion provides temporary supported flexion and realignment of the spine, reducing muscular tension and improving posture by allowing gravity to draw the arms and shoulders into alignment, enhancing well-being and health awareness with short-term use.

Implementation Method 1

The invention relies upon gravity to work effectively by actually allowing gravity to draw the arms and shoulders down into a corresponding alignment with the spine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The new therapeutic cushion is fabricated from a medium density foam of the type well known in the cushioning art. An exemplary material for the therapeutic cushion body is polyurethane foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10791845B2Therapeutic cushion

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 TACON GARY

AI summary

A therapeutic cushion comprising a one-piece, elongated, molded firm body, the forwardmost portions of said body in side elevation, including convexly contoured surfaces adapted for head-engaging support. Intermediate portions of said body in side elevation defining an upwardly projecting apex adapted for engaging support of the cervical vertebrae C-3 to C-6, the rearwardmost portions of said body in side elation being convexly contoured and downwardly shaped and adapted to support thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spinal regions, said body defining a concave gap in side elevation between said intermediate and said rearwardmost portions and whereby the geometry of said body gently stretches the spine of a user laying horizontally thereupon.