Variable-Density Foam Roll With Projections for Tissue Mobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cylindrical foam rolls are ineffective in mobilizing soft tissue structures, prone to user displacement, and lack versatility in density and shape to optimize tissue mobilization, core strength, and balance training.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic device with adjustable density, diameter, and varied projection shapes, such as rounded, triangular, or cylindrical, that can be made of pliable materials like closed-cell foam, to enhance soft tissue mobilization, core strength, and balance training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional cylindrical foam roll is used for tissue mobilization, then the device is simple in structure, but it minimizes the effect of tissue mobilization and causes user displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The foam roll incorporates projections of varying shapes (rounded, triangular, cylindrical) and densities distributed across its surface, creating localized areas of different mechanical properties. This allows specific regions to target different tissue structures effectively, resolving the contradiction between simple overall structure and effective localized tissue mobilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam roll transitions from a symmetric cylindrical shape to an asymmetric form with projections of different shapes, sizes, and densities. This asymmetry enables differentiated interaction with soft tissue structures, improving mobilization effectiveness while maintaining structural simplicity through a single integrated design.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional cylindrical foam roll is used for balance training, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the user can easily fall off minimizing training effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The projections are strategically positioned and varied in density to create specific contact points that engage the user's soft tissue structures during balance exercises. This localized differentiation provides enhanced stability and feedback, improving balance training effectiveness without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Volume of moving object
If a smaller sized cylindrical foam roll is used for small soft tissue structures, then the device can target specific areas, but it cannot effectively break up collagenous fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The foam roll incorporates projections with varying densities and shapes that concentrate mechanical stress on specific collagenous fiber structures. The projected shapes (especially triangular and cylindrical) create focused pressure points that effectively break up adhesions and fibrous tissue, overcoming the limitation of uniform cylindrical rolls.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam roll utilizes variations in projection density, shape, and size as key parameters to optimize tissue mobilization. These parameter changes enable the same device to effectively target different tissue types and structures, from small soft tissue areas to larger muscle groups, resolving the contradiction between size and effectiveness.
4Reliability
If conventional foot massaging devices with projections are used, then they can mobilize soft tissue, but they are limited to one diameter, one density, and one type of shape
Solution Approach 1:
The foam roll integrates multiple projection types (rounded, triangular, cylindrical) with varying densities into a single device, making it universally applicable to different soft tissue structures throughout the body. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized rolls while maintaining effective tissue mobilization across diverse anatomical regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic, fitness and sports enhancement device which includes a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures of the human body.