Portable Cervical Traction Sling with Elastic Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home cervical traction devices are often cumbersome, costly, and potentially injurious, lacking in convenience and comfort, while traditional physical therapy visits are time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A portable cervical traction device featuring a flexible sling with elastic tethers that attach to a removable anchor, providing a compact, non-marring, and comfortable way to apply traction force without constricting headgear or bulky hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional home cervical traction devices use headgear with straps around the forehead and chin, then traction force can be applied, but the device becomes cumbersome, constricting, inconvenient, and may exert harmful stresses at the jaw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the headgear component entirely from the traction system. Instead of using straps around the forehead and chin, the invention uses a simple chin rest that contacts only the chin area, extracting the harmful headgear elements while preserving the essential traction function through a different mechanical approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a chin rest as an intermediary component between the user's head and the traction mechanism. This chin rest serves as a mediator that applies force only to the chin area without the constricting effects of traditional headgear, thereby reducing harmful stresses while maintaining effective traction
2Force
If home traction devices use weights and pulleys to exert tension, then effective traction can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky, cumbersome, and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional weights-and-pulleys mechanical system with a spring-based tensioning mechanism. The spring assembly provides the necessary elastic force to pull the chin rest toward the anchor point, eliminating the need for heavy weights and complex pulley systems while maintaining effective traction force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic spring-based tensioning system that automatically adjusts to the user's head position and movement. The elastic tethers and spring assembly provide continuous adaptive force, replacing the static weight system with a dynamic mechanism that is both simpler and more convenient
3Reliability
If home traction devices use clamps and brackets for attachment to doors and furniture, then the device can be anchored, but the hardware mars surface finishes and interferes with use of the door or furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible strap with a velcro fastening system instead of rigid clamps and brackets. The velcro strap can be wrapped around door handles, furniture legs, or other anchor points without damaging surfaces, providing reliable attachment while avoiding the marring effects of hard hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from rigid mechanical clamps to a flexible, adjustable velcro strap system. This allows the anchor point to be securely attached to various surfaces without permanent damage, adapting to different door and furniture types while preserving surface finishes
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 device offers easy, frequent, and effective cervical traction that minimizes discomfort and avoids injurious stresses, allowing for convenient and cost-effective relief from neck pain at home.
Implementation Method 1
Each of a pair of flexible elastic tethers (e.g., shock cords) includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of a first tether is attached to the first side attachment of the sling and the proximal end of the second tether attached to the second side attachment of the sling. An anchor is removably attached to an anchoring object, at a height above a floor, while the portable traction device is in use. The distal end of each of the pair of flexible elastic tethers is attached to the anchor.
Data Source
AI summary
A sling of a portable traction device cradles a user's head primarily at the back and lower part of the skull. The sling is attached to at least one shock cord. The at least one shock cords is also anchored to a structure, such as a closed door at the hinged side of the door, between the door and door frame, using an anchor, at a height, to generate a tension vector at an acute angle relative to the floor. The tension applies cervical traction.