Torso Assist Orthotic with Hinged Torsion Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with camptocormia, particularly those with Parkinson's Disease, face difficulty maintaining an upright posture due to a severe bent-over posture, with existing orthotic devices providing insufficient support and allowing unwanted lateral and torso movements, leading to falls and restricted mobility.
Innovation Solution
A torso assist orthotic device (TAO) with custom-molded pelvic girdle, chest support, and thigh cuffs, utilizing stiff torsion springs to counterbalance the torso weight, allowing patients to bend forward with minimal effort and return to an upright position with minimal muscle exertion, featuring a hinged connection with a self-latching spring assist device and adjustable preload to minimize interference with walking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device permits movement in all three orthotic planes (sagittal, coronal, axial), then lateral torso and thigh movements are allowed, but this provides insufficient support for camptocormia patients who have a tendency to fall without lateral support
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the support function by providing a pelvic girdle for lateral stability and a separate hinged connection for sagittal plane movement. This segmentation allows independent control of stability and mobility functions, resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connection provides dynamic support that adapts to the patient's needs: it allows movement in the sagittal plane while restricting movement in the coronal and axial planes. The spring assist device dynamically adjusts to counterbalance torso weight during bending while maintaining lateral stability.
2Ease of operation
If a spring assist device provides resistance to forward movement of the torso, then the torso weight is counterbalanced and return to upright position is aided, but the device may impede walking by creating pressure on the lower body engaging portion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assist device is positioned to engage specifically at the hinged connection between upper and lower body engaging portions, applying force locally at the joint rather than distributing pressure across the entire lower body. This localized engagement provides torso return assistance while minimizing interference with walking.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant and preload of the spring assist device can be adjusted to match the patient's torso weight and specific needs. By optimizing these parameters, the device provides sufficient assistance for torso return while minimizing pressure and interference during walking.
3Reliability
If custom-molded components are used to fit the individual patient, then optimal support and comfort are achieved, but the device becomes less readily available and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses standardized components (pelvic girdle, thigh cuffs, hinged connection) that can be manufactured in standard sizes and configurations. These universal components are then customized through adjustment mechanisms and selective engagement features, balancing manufacturability with individual patient fit requirements.
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 TAO effectively supports patients in maintaining an upright position with minimal effort, enhancing mobility and reducing the risk of falls by counterbalancing torso weight, allowing for comfortable bending and walking while minimizing pressure on the lower body engaging portion.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing stiff torsion springs to counterbalance the torso weight
Implementation Method 2
a spring is selected so as to match the weight of the user's torso, so that the spring assist device will essentially counterbalance the weight of the user's torso
Data Source
AI summary
A torso assist orthotic device configured to be worn by a user requiring assistance in holding his torso in a vertical position and returning the his torso to a vertical position from a forward bent over position. The torso assist orthotic device includes an upper body engaging portion that is open in the front in the abdominal and pelvic areas. A lower body engaging portion is custom formed to the wearer's lower extremities. A hinged connection at each side has a spring assist device in engagement. The spring assist device is selectively disengagable, such that when the spring assist device is engaged, the spring assist device provides resistance to forward movement of the user's torso and urges the user's torso back into alignment with the user's lower body. The spring assist device includes a self-latching spring engagement/disengagement device.