Walking Boot Removable Ankle Elements for Incision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking boots made from rigid polymer materials can cause discomfort and hinder healing by rubbing against ankle incisions, potentially leading to dehiscence and infections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of removable elements or openings in the ankle support portion of the boot to prevent direct or indirect contact with incisions, allowing for customization to accommodate individual patient needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid polymer material is used for the walking boot to provide mechanical support, then the structural strength and support are improved, but the discomfort and risk of incision damage increase due to direct contact with the incision area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes or creates openings in the rigid polymer shell at the ankle support portion to eliminate direct contact between the incision area and the rigid material. This extraction of the problematic contact surface allows the boot to maintain its structural strength while preventing incision damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a soft liner or cushioning material as an intermediary layer between the rigid polymer shell and the incision area. This mediator absorbs the harmful contact effects while allowing the rigid shell to provide necessary structural support.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rigid outer shell is made solid without openings to maximize support, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ability to accommodate incisions and reduce discomfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rigid outer shell by creating localized openings or removing portions of the shell at the ankle support area. This segmentation allows the boot to accommodate incisions while the remaining solid portions maintain overall structural integrity and support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the boot: the majority of the shell remains solid for structural integrity, while specific local areas (ankle support portion) have openings or modified geometry to accommodate incisions and reduce discomfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If removable elements are added to the ankle support portion to prevent contact with incisions, then the comfort and healing promotion are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ankle support portion dynamic by providing removable elements that can be taken out or adjusted based on the patient's specific needs. This dynamic configuration allows the boot to adapt to different incision locations and healing stages without requiring a completely different boot design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates removable elements that can be discarded (removed) from the boot structure when needed to accommodate incisions. These elements can be recovered or replaced as healing progresses, allowing flexible adaptation without permanently complicating the boot design.
Data Source
AI summary
A boot includes a rigid outer shell including a base portion adjacent to a portion of a foot of a subject, a leg portion adjacent to a portion of a leg of the subject, and an ankle support portion integral with and coupling the base portion of the main body with the leg portion of the main body, the ankle portion of the main body being adjacent to two opposing sides of an ankle of the subject, the ankle support portion of the main body having one or more removable elements. A first one of the one or more removable elements, adjacent to a first one of the two opposing sides of the ankle, is configured to be removed from the rigid outer shell to aid in preventing contact between an incision area on the first side of the ankle of the subject and the rigid outer shell.