Active Knit Compression Garments with Shape Memory Alloy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression garments face challenges in providing uniform and dynamic compression that adapts to varying user anatomy and activity levels, often resulting in inconsistent pressure profiles and difficulty in resizing or reshaping to accommodate different body positions.
Innovation Solution
The development of active and passive knitted materials that can provide dynamic levels of compression by transitioning between martensite and austenite states, allowing for adjustable compression based on location and activity, and incorporating shape memory alloy materials to achieve desired compression profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If under-sized elastic garments are used to provide compression, then compression force is applied to the body, but the pressure profile varies with user anatomy and body position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the garment's compression properties adjustable and responsive to changing conditions. The garment transitions from a static under-sized elastic design to a dynamic system that can adapt its compression force and pressure profile based on user anatomy variations and body positions, thereby resolving the contradiction between applying compression force and maintaining pressure profile consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical and mechanical properties of the garment materials and structure. By changing parameters such as elastic modulus, knit density, and material composition in different garment regions, the system achieves consistent pressure profiles across varying user anatomies and positions while maintaining effective compression force.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional compression garments are designed for specific body portions, then they provide targeted compression, but they cannot be resized or reshaped for different activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the garment from a fixed-size design to a resizable system. The dynamic characteristics allow the garment to be adjusted for different body portions and activities while maintaining targeted compression in specific regions, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture for specific portions and adaptability for different uses.
3Stress or pressure
If under-sized garments are used to provide uniform pressure, then compression is applied, but the pressure varies along the length of the garment due to anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different regions of the garment have different properties tailored to specific body portions. By varying material composition, knit structure, and elastic characteristics in different zones, the system achieves uniform pressure distribution while accommodating anatomical variations across the body, resolving the contradiction between pressure uniformity and anatomical adaptability.
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
This solution enables garments to provide tailored and adaptive compression that addresses various medical and aesthetic needs, improving comfort and effectiveness by ensuring consistent pressure distribution and accommodating anatomical variations and activity changes.
Implementation Method 1
Garments made of active and passive knitted rows can provide dynamic levels of compression with respect to both location and over time to address a variety of conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Garments having active and passive knitted rows can provide desired levels of compression. Garments made of active and passive knitted rows can provide dynamic levels of compression with respect to both location and over time to address a variety of conditions.