Torso Bias Lever Arm for Correcting Pelvic Rotation Imbalance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing physiotherapy techniques are inadequate in addressing muscle imbalances and compensations caused by leg length discrepancies, leading to chronic back and buttock pain, and fail to correct ingrained movement patterns effectively.

Innovation Solution

A physiotherapy apparatus and method utilizing a lever arm with a biasing device that applies rotational bias about the anatomical longitudinal axis of the user, coupled with exercise equipment, to actively resist or passively submit to the bias during exercises, targeting specific regions like the pelvic and lumbar spinal regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional physiotherapy techniques (stretching and strengthening exercises) are used, then muscle imbalances may be addressed, but ingrained movement patterns and compensations caused by leg length discrepancies are not effectively corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of muscle imbalance correctionVSAvoidcorrection of ingrained movement patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized training device as an intermediary tool between the practitioner and the patient's body. This device incorporates mechanical components (lever arms, pivot points, biasing devices) that act as mediators to apply controlled rotational forces and positional biases to the torso, directly addressing compensatory movements without relying solely on patient awareness or traditional exercise techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies preliminary corrective actions by establishing proper pelvic and torso alignment through mechanical biasing before the patient performs exercises. The biasing device pre-positions the torso at correct angles and rotational orientations, ensuring that movement patterns are corrected from the outset rather than attempting to retrain established patterns after the fact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If leg length difference is compensated with a lift or orthotic, then back and buttock pain may be reduced, but muscular imbalance and feeling of asymmetry remain substantially uncorrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveback and buttock painVSAvoidcorrection of muscular imbalance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the correction process into distinct functional components: pelvic alignment through the binding section, torso rotational control through the lever arm and pivot point, and spinal positioning through the upper body harness. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of muscular imbalance independently and simultaneously, providing comprehensive correction that a single lift or orthotic cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device intentionally incorporates asymmetric elements to counteract the asymmetric conditions caused by leg length discrepancy. The binding section can be configured with asymmetric attachment points, the lever arm provides asymmetric rotational bias, and the harness system allows asymmetric positioning to match the patient's specific anatomical variations, thereby providing targeted correction for each side of the body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If cycling is used as a low-impact exercise, then joint health is promoted, but it may enhance pre-existing muscle imbalance instead of reducing it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint health promotionVSAvoidenhancement of muscle imbalance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces dynamic corrective forces during exercise activities. The biasing device can adjust in real-time to maintain proper torso rotation and pelvic alignment as the patient moves, providing continuous adaptive correction that counters the development of muscle imbalances during repetitive exercises like cycling, while still allowing the joint-friendly nature of such exercises to continue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 apparatus and method help reduce muscle imbalances and compensations, improving athletic performance and overall body alignment by counteracting abnormal stress and promoting symmetrical movement patterns over time.

Implementation Method 1

A biasing device pivotally biases the lever arm about a pivot axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiasing device: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A lever arm. A biasing device pivotally biases the lever arm about a pivot axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever arm: Lever

Implementation Method 3

A harness is configurable on a torso of a user to couple the user to the lever arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12472403B2Apparatus and method for physiotherapy
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SCHRANZ PAUL STEVEN
  • US12472403B2 patent drawing
  • US12472403B2 patent drawing
  • US12472403B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An improved apparatus for physiotherapy includes a lever arm. A biasing device pivotally biases the lever arm about a pivot axis. There is a support configured for supporting the lever arm above an exercise equipment. A harness is configurable on a torso of a user to couple the user to the lever arm. The pivot axis corresponds to an anatomical longitudinal axis of the user and the torso of the user is biased by the lever arm about the anatomical longitudinal axis.