Traction Hip Brace with Adjustable Strut and Saddle Harness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic supports for the hip do not effectively address pre-operative pain due to arthritic joint degeneration by failing to provide a traction force that pulls the femur away from the acetabulum, which is necessary for reducing joint pain before joint replacement surgery.
Innovation Solution
A traction hip brace with a strut member extending from a knee brace to a saddle harness, applying a traction force by adjustable straps to pull the femur away from the acetabulum, allowing for adjustable fitting and locking mechanisms to secure the position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hip braces are used to support the joint, then the joint is supported during rehabilitation or post-operative recovery, but the brace cannot provide effective pre-operative traction force to reduce joint pain due to arthritic degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The brace incorporates an articulating hinge at the knee that allows dynamic adjustment between locked and unlocked positions, enabling the device to adapt to different therapeutic needs (traction vs. stability) and activity levels, making it suitable for both pre-operative pain management and post-operative rehabilitation
Solution Approach 2:
The device features multiple adjustable parameters including strut length, strap tension, and hinge lock positioning, allowing customization of traction force and joint positioning to address varying degrees of arthritic degeneration and individual patient anatomy
2Adaptability or versatility
If the strut member is made adjustable to fit different knee to hip joint dimensions, then the brace can accommodate different users and body types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable strut member is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can be independently adjusted and locked, allowing precise length customization without requiring complex mechanical systems, thereby simplifying the overall adjustment mechanism while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating hinge serves as an intermediary element between the strut member and the knee brace, providing a simple locking mechanism that translates complex positional requirements into straightforward adjustments, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Data Source
AI summary
A traction hip brace which provides a traction force to the femur, pulling it out and away from the acetabulum. A knee brace element secures around the lower thigh and below the knee at the upper shin using two shells with adjustable straps. An articulating hinge allows bending of the knee. A strut member extends from the knee hinge up to a saddle harness. The strut member has an articulating hinge that can be locked to prevent motion if desired. The terminus end of the strut member is inserted into a holster of the saddle harness worn by the user. The saddle harness is fitted to the user's waist and buttock and provides the anchor point for the end of the strut member. Attachment straps are used to tension the strut member down and away from the saddle harness to exert a traction force on the femur.