Orthopedic Wrist Splint with Airflow Passages for Breathability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrist splints and braces are uncomfortable, poorly fitting, and lack breathability, leading to low compliance and prolonged healing times for wrist injuries and conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly affecting women with varied hand sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, ergonomically shaped orthopedic cock-up wrist splint with airflow passages and a customizable design using injection molding or 3D printing, incorporating a support sleeve with anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking properties, and a coating for heating or cooling effects to enhance comfort and medical treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid bent strip metal splints are used, then structural strength and rigidity are improved, but weight increases and flexibility decreases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solid metal strips with thin, flexible polymer shells that maintain structural integrity through optimized geometry and material properties. The splint uses a lightweight polymer shell with integrated rigidizing elements that provide necessary support without the weight and inflexibility of traditional metal construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining polymer matrices with reinforcing elements to achieve high strength-to-weight ratios. The composite construction provides both the rigidity needed for wrist support and the flexibility required for comfort and adaptability
2Stability of the object's composition
If solid metal splints are used, then structural stability is improved, but breathability decreases causing heat accumulation and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porous or perforated structures in the polymer shell that allow air circulation while maintaining structural stability. The porous design enables breathability and moisture wicking without compromising the rigidity needed for wrist support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the splint, with breathable zones positioned against the skin and more rigid sections providing structural support. This local differentiation optimizes both stability and comfort
3Ease of manufacture
If standard size ambidextrous splints are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but fit and comfort decrease for diverse hand sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes adjustable parameters in the polymer shell design, including flexible sizing options and adaptable geometric parameters, to accommodate diverse hand sizes and shapes while maintaining a unified manufacturing process through injection molding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the splint into modular sections or offers size variations that can be manufactured through standardized processes, allowing customization for different users without significantly complicating production
4Reliability
If continuous wear of non-breathable splints is used, then wrist stabilization is improved, but skin health deteriorates due to increased intrafunicular pressure and edema
Solution Approach 1:
The porous polymer shell allows continuous wear by facilitating air circulation and moisture management, preventing the buildup of pressure and edema while maintaining wrist stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts harmful trapped heat and moisture through breathable structures, removing the adverse effects associated with continuous wear of non-breathable splints while preserving the stabilizing function
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 splint provides improved stability, comfort, and ventilation, reducing discomfort and skin irritation, while allowing for personalized fit and enhanced medical treatment, thereby increasing compliance and accelerating healing.
Implementation Method 1
one or more airflow passages to improve ventilation and removal of moisture from the surface of the user's skin
Implementation Method 2
a coating on the concave interfacing surface, wherein the coating has heating or cooling properties
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic cock-up wrist brace and splint for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, fractures, tendonitis, repetitive strain injury, osteoporosis, or other wrist injury. The splint having a specially designed hourglass shape formed using medical fit data in addition to established sizing data and refined after comprehensive studies and testing. The splint supplied as a stand-alone product or as part of a wrist brace system.