Trapezius Muscle Clamping Assembly for Adjustable Headache Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headache treatments, such as massage vibrators and acupressure clamps, do not effectively target the trapezius muscle for tension relief, limiting their efficacy in treating headaches.

Innovation Solution

A clamping unit with movable grips and a rotatable knob that pinches the trapezius muscle at a strategic location, allowing for adjustable pressure application via a tube extending beneath the armpit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a massage vibrator or acupressure clamp is used, then headache treatment is provided, but the effectiveness is limited due to inability to effectively target the trapezius muscle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of headache treatmentVSAvoidtargeting capability for trapezius muscle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device features a clamping unit with a curved surface that conforms to the contours of the trapezius muscle, enabling localized pressure application at specific strategic locations. The curved surface is designed to match the anatomical shape of the trapezius muscle, allowing the grips to effectively target and pinch specific areas for headache relief.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a rotatable knob that dynamically adjusts the spacing between the two grips, allowing the user to control the intensity of pressure applied to the trapezius muscle. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the same device to provide varying levels of pressure depending on the user's needs and the severity of the headache.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the grips are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the intensity of pressure application cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpressure intensity adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The user can independently adjust the pressure intensity by rotating the knob without requiring assistance from another person. The self-adjusting mechanism allows the user to customize the pressure level to their personal preference and pain threshold, making the device versatile for different users and headache severities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a tube extends beneath the armpit, then the device can be positioned on the trapezius muscle, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device features a curved surface on the clamping unit that conforms to the contours of the trapezius muscle, enabling localized pressure application at specific strategic locations. The curved surface is designed to match the anatomical shape of the trapezius muscle, allowing the grips to effectively target and pinch specific areas for headache relief.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The tube extending beneath the armpit acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the positioning of the clamping unit on the trapezius muscle. This intermediate structure allows the device to navigate around the body's contours and achieve proper alignment with the target muscle group without requiring direct manual positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Provides targeted relief for headaches caused by muscle tension by effectively pinching the trapezius muscle, enabling self-treatment without assistance.

Implementation Method 1

the tube curves beneath the user's armpit when the clamping unit is positioned on the user's trapezius muscle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurvature:

Implementation Method 2

Each of the grips is urgeable toward each other to pinch a trapezius muscle at a strategic location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

A knob is rotatably disposed on the tube and the knob is in mechanical communication with the clamping unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS12447091B2Headache treatment assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SOEKEN LUCAS

AI summary

A headache treatment assembly includes a clamping unit that has a pair of grips each is movably disposed in opposing sides of a clamping recess in the clamping unit. Each of the grips is urgeable toward each other to pinch a trapezius muscle at a strategic location to treat symptoms of a headache. A tube is coupled to and extends away from the clamping unit and the tube curves beneath the user's armpit when the clamping unit is positioned on the user's trapezius muscle. A knob is rotatably disposed on the tube and the knob is in mechanical communication with the clamping unit. The grips are urged toward each other when the knob is rotated in a first direction and the grips are urged away from each other when the knob is rotated in a second direction.