Wrist Rehabilitation Device with Bulge Elements for Carpal Tunnel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rehabilitation devices are inadequate for effectively treating carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, as they fail to provide sufficient relief for deeply rooted wrist injuries, often relying on drug medication with side effects or lengthy rehabilitation periods, and conventional methods like thermal patches or stretching are ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A rehabilitation device with upper and lower members clamping the wrist, featuring bulge elements that press into the gap between the ulna and radius, combined with a strap for secure positioning, allowing for simple palm swinging to massage and relax the ligament, thereby easing pain and discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rehabilitation methods (thermal patch or stretching) are used, then the treatment is non-invasive and easy to apply, but the effect is insufficient for deeply rooted wrist injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation device applies local quality by concentrating the therapeutic action at the precise location of the carpal tunnel through the bulge element. The bulge element is specifically positioned to press into the gap between the ulna and radius bones, directly targeting the ligament in the carpal tunnel, while the rest of the device structure provides support and positioning without active therapeutic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamics by enabling the wrist to swing freely in a natural arc motion while the bulge element maintains contact with the carpal tunnel area. This dynamic design allows the ligament to be massaged and relaxed through the swinging motion, combining mechanical pressure with movement to enhance rehabilitation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If operation is performed as an ultimate solution, then the rehabilitation effect is immediate and effective, but it carries surgical risks and requires lengthy recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation device enables self-service by allowing patients to perform their own rehabilitation exercises at home without requiring professional therapist intervention. The simple swinging motion can be independently executed, making the device accessible for long-term use and reducing the need for ongoing medical supervision or facility visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The device supports continuity of useful action by enabling patients to perform rehabilitation exercises multiple times throughout the day. The simple swinging motion can be repeated continuously, providing cumulative therapeutic effect without interruption, thereby accelerating recovery without requiring prolonged hospitalization or extended recovery periods.
3Ease of operation
If the rehabilitation device uses bulge elements to press into the gap between ulna and radius, then targeted massage and relaxation of the ligament is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies segmentation by dividing the therapeutic function into distinct components: the bulge element for targeted pressure, the positioning elements for accurate placement, and the strap for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving complex therapeutic effects through simple, dedicated parts rather than a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulge element serves as an intermediary between the device structure and the ligament in the carpal tunnel. It translates the swinging motion into focused pressure and massage on the ligament, mediating the interaction between the external device and the internal tissue to achieve therapeutic effects without direct mechanical intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A rehabilitation device for treating carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow is disclosed. The rehabilitation device includes upper and lower members clamping a wrist from above and below. An upper bulge element and a lower bulge element are correspondingly positioned in the middle of the inner faces of the upper and lower members, respectively, for pressing against a gap between the ulna and radius of the wrist from above and below. The upper member has two positioning elements on the inner face to the lateral sides of the upper bulge element. A strap wraps around outer faces of the upper and lower members so as to tight the upper and lower members on the wrist from above and below. By swinging the palm up and down, the bulge elements press into the gap and provide massage and relaxation to the ligament inside.