Wearable Ankle Pump Massage with Pneumatic Muscle Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle pump exercisers and pneumatic pumps are inadequate for promoting blood circulation, lymphatic reflux, muscle strengthening, and preventing muscle atrophy in patients with limited mobility or pain, requiring manual assistance and lacking active muscle engagement.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electrical ankle pump massage bidirectional exerciser with side massage airbags and a swing airbag, controlled by independent air pumps, enabling simultaneous ankle pump exercise and leg massage, with additional lifting airbags for enhanced lateral exercise and height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pneumatic pump is used to squeeze blood vessels, then blood circulation is promoted, but muscles do not work actively and muscle atrophy cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pneumatic pump and ankle pump exercise functions into a single device. The pneumatic pump provides passive compression for blood circulation, while the ankle pump mechanism enables active muscle exercise through ankle joint movement, thereby achieving both circulation promotion and muscle strengthening in one system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a pneumatic pump for blood circulation and an ankle pump exerciser for active muscle engagement. This multi-functionality allows the device to address both circulation issues and muscle atrophy prevention without requiring separate equipment.
2Productivity
If ankle pump exercise is performed manually, then blood circulation is promoted, but patient compliance is poor due to fear of fatigue and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables patients to perform ankle pump exercises independently without requiring manual assistance from caregivers. The automated pneumatic pump and mechanical ankle pump mechanism allow patients to exercise actively on their own, improving compliance by removing the need for external help and reducing fatigue from manual assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for manual assistance with an automated mechanical system. The pneumatic pump automatically provides compression and the mechanical linkage system guides ankle movement, eliminating the need for caregivers to manually assist and allowing patients to exercise independently with reduced effort and pain.
3Productivity
If pneumatic pump is used, then blood circulation is promoted, but it cannot be used when patient is in severe pain or has cast/splint
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to work with both casted and non-casted limbs through its adaptable ankle pump mechanism. The mechanical linkage can accommodate fixed positions (casts/splints) while still enabling ankle movement, and the pneumatic pump can be adjusted for different pain tolerance levels, making it universally applicable to various patient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides dynamic adjustment capabilities where the pneumatic pump pressure and ankle pump movement range can be modified based on patient needs. This allows the system to adapt to different conditions including severe pain (reduced pressure), casts/splints (adjusted movement range), and varying rehabilitation stages.
4Ease of operation
If current ankle pump exercisers require manual assistance, then exercise can be performed, but exercise effect is poor and rehabilitation is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pneumatic pump compression function with the ankle pump exercise function into a coordinated system. The pneumatic pump provides rhythmic compression that complements the active ankle movements, creating a synergistic effect that enhances both blood circulation and muscle exercise effectiveness, thereby improving rehabilitation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device ensures continuous useful action by coordinating the pneumatic pump compression cycles with the ankle pump exercise movements. The pneumatic pump operates continuously to provide compression during both the exercise phases and recovery phases, maintaining constant therapeutic effect and maximizing rehabilitation efficiency without idle time.
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 device promotes active muscle exercise, enhances blood circulation and lymphatic reflux, prevents muscle atrophy, and facilitates functional recovery without manual assistance, suitable for patients with limited mobility or pain compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a first air pump group is arranged inside the equipment box, and the first air pump group is configured to drive the swing airbag and the side massage airbags
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a wearable electrical ankle pump massage bidirectional exerciser. The adopted technical solution is that the wearable electrical ankle pump massage bidirectional exerciser includes a vamp plate and a calf plate. A base is rotatably connected to a lower side of the vamp plate, a swing airbag for driving the vamp plate is arranged on an upper part of a rear side of the base, side supporting plates are arranged on both sides of the vamp plate, and side massage airbags are arranged on both sides of an upper part of the calf plate. An equipment box is provided on a bottom of the base, a first air pump group is arranged inside the equipment box, and the first air pump group is configured to drive the swing airbag and the side massage airbags.