Thoracic Stabilizer with Retractable Lateral Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for stabilizing the anterior chest wall, such as surgical and ventilatory therapies, face limitations in pediatric and adult populations due to tissue fragility, complexity, adverse effects, and high disability rates in adults with conditions like flail chest, highlighting the need for a more effective and portable solution to prevent chest wall collapse.

Innovation Solution

A thoracic stabilizer that applies adjustable lateral forces to the chest wall using a platform, retractometer, controller, and motors to counteract anterior chest wall retractions, varying the force based on measured collapse and patient weight, ensuring stabilization without customized fitting or adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If surgical approaches are used to stabilize the chest wall, then chest wall stability is improved, but tissue fragility and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechest wall stabilityVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex surgical stabilization systems with a mechanical thoracic stabilizer device that uses adjustable lateral supports and a retractometer to apply controlled forces to the chest wall, eliminating the need for invasive surgical procedures while achieving similar stabilization effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The thoracic stabilizer is designed to be self-adjusting through a retractometer that automatically measures chest wall retraction and triggers appropriate lateral support activation, eliminating the need for complex surgical intervention and custom fitting procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If continuous negative extrathoracic pressure (CNP) ventilation is used, then anterior chest wall retraction is reduced, but device complexity and adverse effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechest wall retractionVSAvoidventilation unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the chest wall stabilization function from complex ventilation systems and implements it through a dedicated mechanical device with lateral supports that can be applied independently, removing the need for complex ventilation equipment while achieving the same retraction reduction effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The thoracic stabilizer is designed as a simple, portable mechanical device that can be easily applied and removed without requiring complex ventilation infrastructure, making it more practical and less invasive compared to CNP ventilation systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Volume of stationary object

If positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is used during mechanical ventilation, then lung volume is supported, but cardiac output is impaired and ventilator-induced lung injury occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelung volumeVSAvoidcardiac output impairment

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the chest wall stabilization function from respiratory support, applying lateral forces specifically to the chest wall through adjustable supports while allowing normal respiratory mechanics to function independently, thereby avoiding the harmful effects of high PEEP on cardiac output and lung tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If flail chest intervention is performed, then chest wall motion is stabilized, but long-term disability and pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechest wall motionVSAvoidlong-term disability rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thoracic stabilizer uses dynamically adjustable lateral supports that can be tuned to individual patient needs and chest wall characteristics, allowing for customized stabilization that adapts to healing progress and reduces long-term disability compared to fixed surgical interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows for continuous adjustment of lateral support forces and positioning based on patient response and recovery progress, enabling optimization of stabilization parameters to minimize long-term pain and disability while maintaining effective chest wall stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1940301B1Thoracic stabilizer

Publication Date: 2012.04.04 TEMPLE UNIV

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AI summary

A thoracic stabilizer for limiting anterior chest wall (1) collapse includes a platform (2) supporting a patient and a pair of lateral supports (6) contacting opposite sides of the patient's chest wall (1) and applying force to limit collapse of the chest wall (1). The force applied by the lateral supports (6) is varied depending on the force applied to the platform (2) by the patient. The stabilizer includes a retractometer (4) measuring the collapse of the chest wall (1). According to one embodiment, the stabilizer includes a controller (3) that varies the force applied to the chest wall (1) in closed-loop fashion based on the chest wall (1) collapse measured by the retractometer (4) using an algorithm of the controller (3). According to one embodiment, the stabilizer includes motors (5) moving the lateral supports (6). According to another embodiment, the stabilizer includes a hydraulic system and the lateral supports (6) include expandable fluid-filled members.