Crutches – Modular Structures
Year: 2015 – 2016 | 2022
Project
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. 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. The designed medical aids are designed for walking after this type of injury. Three versions of crutches have been developed, with modular structures – two “2 in 1” versions and one “3 in 1” version.
Final Variant of Crutch “2 in 1” – 3D Model
Conceptual Development of Crutch “2 in 1” – Product Sketches
Final Variant of Crutch “2 in 1” – 3D Model
Conceptual Development of Crutch “2 in 1” – Product Sketches
Final Variant of Crutch “3 in 1” – 3D Model
Conceptual Development of Crutch “3 in 1” – Product Sketches
Development
The development of modular structures is a continuation of another product development – “Multifunctional Crutch” . Three types of modular crutch structures were designed in the form of conceptual 3D models. The development is in the “3D modeling” stage. Two of the modules are aimed at the “2 in 1” type of crutches, which include an underarm crutch and an elbow crutch; the third option is a module that is aimed at a crutch structure made up of an underarm crutch, an elbow crutch and a cane. By changing a few details and main attachments, the crutches are transformed from one type to another, for example: from an underarm crutch to an elbow crutch. In the third modular version, a cane is also reproduced. It is necessary to make test models of various parts and details, after which the development should be directed to the production of main prototypes. 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.
