The reasons for accidents and the resulting traumas can be due to quite a few factors – workplace risks, sports, or jerky moves, crashes, overloading and falls as the unfortunate events happening in a person’s everyday life. In this project, the focus is on physical traumas affecting the body starting from the pelvis downwards and mostly focusing on the area of the legs – shank fractures, injuries of the knee joint and the knee-cap, tibias fractures, ankle dislocation, muscle fibers rupture, tendon crick, osteoporosis etc. Unfortunately, medical statistics show growing trends that are in a negative direction – the causes of injuries are expanding more and more; risk groups and age range are in a very wide range, etc. See research. During the rehabilitation period from a physical injury, such as fracture or crick, it is very important to realize that this process does not pass with the use of a single type of a medical device. Usually, two types of crutches are used during the rehabilitation process: during the first stage of the process, the underarm crutch is used, and then, the elbow crutch is used when the patient is beginning to walk again. When recovering from an injury, two more types of walking aids are used – a cane and a walker.

Medical products intended for recovery in the rehabilitation process, in order to move the lower extremities, require the use of different types of walking aids, the function of which is clearly expressed:

• Product 1 – Underarm Crutch:

In the first phase of recovery from trauma, an underarm crutch is used due to the need to immobilize the respective leg. This is the most well-known and used type of crutch, used for walking and securing the body during the rehabilitation process. Both underarm crutches are used as a support and a way to move a healthy leg by pushing the body forward.

• Product 2 – Elbow Crutch:

In the next phase of recovery and walking after an injury, an elbow crutch is used. Both elbow crutches are more of a support in the absence of coordination or a feeling that the stability of the recovering lower limb cannot be fully relied on. The main load-bearing part of the body is located in the hands and the load falls on the palm and wrist. It does not rely on the armpit, which can control and carry more weight on the body with more movement. This is a prerequisite that the body can now rely to some extent on both lower limbs, but walking is ensured by an elbow crutch.

• Product 3 – Cane:

The main function of the cane is to maintain balance and a sense of support when moving. It is used in already very advanced stages of recovery, in which the corresponding lower limb is significantly more stable. In this case, it does not rely on only one point as a support at the bottom of the cane. For better stability of the structure is adapted attachment, in view of the stability in motion – three-point attachment. These types of canes are suitable for both rehabilitation and walking.

• Product 4 – Walker:

In longer rehabilitation processes after injuries, it is imperative to use a walker when moving. It is suitable in cases where greater stability and the need for even support of both arms are necessary. Often, a walker is a major part of the rehabilitation process, especially in more severe cases and when movement with both lower limbs is difficult. The walker helps to provide more stability, but the body in this case relies mainly on the stability of the arms, in particular the wrist and palm. With the help of the arms, the walker is slightly lifted, and with slow and gradual steps the body is moved forward.

THE SOLUTION:

After suffering an injury and undergoing a recovery process, the conclusions reached are: a feeling of discomfort, inconvenience, and insufficient functionality with the standard and familiar crutches. After thorough analysis of the relevant products in this area, a product has been developed that has a specific multifunctionality. The project started with two main products combined in one module – 2 in 1. The idea was to turn the product into a completely different one just by changing a single adaptor, and its function being clear and accurate. This is a product solving a real problem of a person’s life and creating comfort and convenience through its application to a physical rehabilitation process and a recovery from injury. The relationship between “human and product” is vital and determining for their interaction in different conditions and environment. The Multifunctional Crutch had to create real relationships and synchrony based on optimized design, suggesting improved functionality and ergonomics.

THE PROGRESS:

The basis of the project was laid in 2012. Initial development of the main prototype of the “Multifunctional Crutch” included two products: underarm crutch and elbow crutch. The development had not completed its transformation and continued its development as a multifunctional product…During the development of the cane with triangle adaptor arose idea for a fourth product – walker. With the help of an additional module of details a variant for assembling a walker was reached. Of course, in the process of making the prototype, the structure of the walker improved. Various ideas for additional conveniences to the four main products began to emerge. In this regard, two additional products were developed and prototyped: water bottle holder and storage box holder for mobile phone, wallet and small supplies. Thus appeared the two additional accessories, the application of which proved to be quite useful. The product kit “Multifunctional Crutch” includes a modular system of components combined in an easily prefabricated and demountable structure, going into four major products and two additional accessories: underarm crutch; elbow crutch; tripod cane – triangle adaptor; walker; water bottle holder and storage box holder for mobile phone, wallet and small supplies.

In 2016, a basis for presenting the development of the project gradually began to be built. A video was created, in this case a 3D animation, of course without any claims to high level and quality…

In 2017, participation in the event “I, the Engineer”, with the development “Multifunctional Crutches”. An event that brought together inventors, entrepreneurs and various specialists from industry and business in Bulgaria. Then two events took place in parallel at the “Inter Expo Center” – “I, the engineer” and the exhibition “MachTech & InnoTech Expo “.

In the period between 2015 – 2021, after a long and consistent process, two types of intellectual property were acquired and registered – industrial design (EUIPO) and a patent for an invention. Some changes have been made to the management of intellectual property, taking into account the specifics of the development and its priorities.

Within the period 2021 – 2022, the project “Crutches – Modular Structures” was completed, launched in 2015 – 2016, a natural continuation of the product development “Multifunctional Crutches”. The designed modular structures of crutches are in the form of conceptual 3D models. Two of the modules are aimed at a “2 in 1” type of crutches, which include an underarm crutch and an elbow crutch; the third option is a “3 in 1” module, which is aimed at a crutch structure built from an underarm crutch, an elbow crutch and a cane.

PRODUCT USAGE:

Switching from one product to another becomes easy and convenient: from an underarm crutch to an elbow crutch, from an elbow crutch to a cane and from a cane to a walker. There is no specific sequence of transition from one product to another, but it is according to the needs and requirements of the person, as well as the phase of the recovery process from the trauma. The mounting and dismounting of the attachments is done mainly by inserting / removing the attachment with a pipe, in / from the main module, turning the pipe and pressing the clamp, which determines the respective height. The so-called “main module” is the base around which everything is built in this multifunctional product. It consists of a console and a handle mounted on it; these two parts are assembled to a main pipe, in which there is an additional one, used to adjust the desired height by means of a clamp. On this module are formed all the products that make up the multifunctional crutch – underarm crutch, elbow crutch, cane and walker.

Example of switching from one product to another – in the multifunctional crutch:

• Underarm Crutch:

It is formed by fixing an underarm attachment with a tube, which is inserted into the main module. It consists of a main tube, a bracket and a handle. The underarm crutch attachment is placed in the main tube, and by means of rotation and placement of a clamp, the desired height is determined.

• Elbow Crutch:

When switching to this type of crutch, the placement of the elbow attachment is done through a tube in the main module – made of the main tube, bracket and handle. All this is done after removing the previous attachment – for an underarm crutch. Only then is the new type of product adapted – in this case an elbow crutch. Again, by pressing the clamp, the desired height of the respective crutch is determined.
Important: The main conclusion is that in the upper part of the multifunctional product the attachments for underarm or elbow crutches are not constantly present – they are installed according to the stage of recovery.

• Cane:

It is also built on the basis of the main module. It started from the upper part of the console and the handle mounted on it, and in the lower part a walking attachment is fixed, providing stability when moving – a triangle adaptor with tips. Again, by fixing the pipe, the desired height is determined with the help of a clamp.

• Walker:

When shaping the walker, the main module is used, which contains a main tube with a bracket and a handle. As it became clear, this module is the basis for all types of products in the multifunctional crutch – underarm crutch, elbow crutch and cane with a triangle adaptor. The walker already has an improved structure. The basic principle of assembly consists of the two main modules, which are pre-assembled. Bent calibrated rods and several transverse tubes are mounted to them. The complete structure of the walker is built with the help of the two mentioned modules, the calibrated rods, several pipes and the respective fastening elements for the assembly of the complete structure.

• Accessories:

To each of the listed products – underarm crutch, elbow crutch, cane and walker, you can attach the appropriate additional accessories – water bottle holder and storage box holder for mobile phone, wallet and small supplies.

Additional accessory 1:

For greater convenience we created an accessory for a water bottle.

Additional accessory 2:

An accessory for carrying and storing a mobile device, wallet, and small accessories was also developed.

ADVANTAGE ANALYSIS:

The upper part of the armpit crutch has a larger area so that there is no discomfort and the armpit does not rub, which happens with the well-known armpit crutches on the market. The handle has a larger area and volume, which makes it significantly more comfortable to grip than other products on the market. In these products, the handle area is limited, especially in underarm crutches, which causes extreme discomfort and pressure in the small grip space. This problem is also seen in most models of the elbow crutches. Adjusting the required height of the crutch is performed with more holes – 6 positions at the top, 11 positions at the bottom. The crutch tip, mounted at the bottom of the crutch, is designed with a wide base.

On the market, the four types of walking aids are purchased separately for each stage of the rehabilitation process. This is an advantage for the “Multifunctional crutch”, which distinguishes it with the ability to offer in one set all the necessary disability equipment for consistent recovery. The product is a “module” type, made up of various attachments, parts and accessories. All this is available in one set, with already assembled main attachments and additional accessories. The accessories are provided for additional convenience – water bottle holder and storage box holder for mobile phone, wallet and small supplies. The whole set of attachments, modules and accessories can be stored in a specialized bag, which makes it convenient to carry and use. It is possible to produce individual products from the multifunctional set, in the form of spare parts and accessories. The product allows for the formation of smaller sets and combinations of products using attachments, making it flexible in offering as a final product to customers. The possibilities for reproducing different configurations and product sets: “2 in 1”, “3 in 1” or “4 in 1”. Depending on the stages of recovery from trauma, it is possible to combine different products from the “Multifunctional Crutch” module and use only those that are necessary.