Thumb Orthosis with Outer Base Joint Mount

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thumb orthoses severely restrict thumb mobility, fail to stabilize the diseased joints, and are unsanitary due to direct contact with soiling substances, leading to unnatural strain and pain.

Innovation Solution

A thumb orthosis design that mounts the thumb base joint on the outer surface, holding it in a slightly bent position, with a bridge on the inner surface to correct the metacarpophalangeal joint and distribute force evenly, eliminating the need for fastening straps and allowing full range of motion while keeping the thumb saddle joint stabilized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fastening strap is used to secure the thumb orthosis, then the orthosis can be固定在手腕上，但快固件会直接接触手掌的污染源导致卫生问题

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorthosis fixationVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

将快固件从与污染源接触的位置提取出来，转移到手腕背侧的清洁区域，使其远离污染源

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

通过环状结构作为中介，将固定功能从污染源区域转移到清洁区域，环本身隔离了快固件与污染源的直接接触

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the thumb is forced into a splayed posture by the orthosis, then the thumb saddle joint is stabilized, but the thumb mobility is severely restricted and gripping function is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint stabilizationVSAvoidthumb mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

将静态固定的环状结构改为动态可调节的结构，使拇指能够在稳定和支持之间动态调整，既保持关节稳定又允许必要的活动范围

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

通过改变环状结构的几何参数和配置，使其能够在不同位置提供支撑，从而在稳定性和活动性之间找到平衡

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If the thumb orthosis is designed to spread the thumb, then the metacarpophalangeal joint is abducted, but the thumb saddle joint returns to pathological malposition and is loaded in malposition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethumb positionVSAvoidjoint alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

在环状结构的特定位置设计局部支撑特征，使不同部位发挥不同作用：一处维持 abduction 防止关节塌陷，另一处提供纵向支撑防止 pathological malposition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

采用不对称的环状结构设计，在不同位置提供不同方向和强度的支撑力，同时满足横向稳定和纵向对齐的需求

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP1813233B1Thumb orthosis

Publication Date: 2012.05.16 WESKOTT CHRISTINA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The thumb orthosis has upper and lower annular loops (3,4) defining openings to receive the thumb. The orthosis has outer and inner surfaces to engage corresponding faces of the hand and surrounds the exterior of the thumb base joint. The lower annular loop has a support face exterior of the thumb upper joint. The orthosis can be made in one piece.