Biofeedback Hernia Support With Adaptive Pressure Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passive hernia prevention devices are ineffective due to their inability to respond to biofeedback, apply inconsistent and often inadequate pressure, and lack mechanisms for adjusting pressure based on user needs, particularly failing to address specific anatomical locations like the lumbar, large ventral, or Spigelian hernias.
Innovation Solution
A smart device incorporating biofeedback mechanisms, sensors, and a controller to detect respiratory and muscle activity, and apply synchronized or asynchronous pressure to counteract intra-abdominal forces, with adjustable pressure applicators and wireless communication for real-time data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive mechanical pressure devices like abdominal belts are used, then they provide continuous pressure support, but they fail to respond to biofeedback and apply inconsistent pressure that is often inadequate for preventing hernia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors detect user-specific biofeedback signals (respiratory movement, muscle activity) and the controller adjusts pressure applicator output in real-time. This ensures the device responds dynamically to actual physiological conditions, resolving the contradiction between providing reliable hernia prevention and incorporating automated biofeedback response.
Solution Approach 2:
The device monitors its own performance through integrated sensors and automatically adjusts pressure levels without external intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting respiratory cycles and muscle activation, thereby serving itself to maintain optimal pressure support while preventing hernia, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring consistent effectiveness.
2Duration of action of moving object
If passive devices apply constant pressure, then they provide continuous support, but the pressure is often ill-positioned and non-calibrated leading to zero positive outcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static constant pressure to dynamic adaptive pressure. The pressure applicators adjust their output in real-time based on detected respiratory phase and muscle activity, maintaining precise positioning and calibration throughout the duration of use. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous support while preventing the pressure from becoming ill-positioned or non-calibrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously varies pressure parameters (magnitude, timing, duration) based on physiological feedback. Pressure is applied synchronously with respiratory cycles and muscle activation patterns, changing parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed constant pressure. This ensures accurate positioning and calibration are maintained throughout the duration of action.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple elastic or leather belts are used, then they are easy to manufacture and wear, but they apply hit or miss load that loses shape and structure over time reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support device into discrete functional segments: sensors, controllers, and multiple independently controllable pressure applicators. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its specific function and structure, preventing the overall device from losing its shape and effectiveness over time while remaining manufacturable using standard electronic and mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical elastic belts with an active electromechanical system. Instead of relying on elastic material properties that degrade over time, the system uses electronically controlled pressure applicators that maintain precise force output. This substitution eliminates the shape loss and structure degradation inherent in elastic materials while keeping the device manufacturable through standard electronic assembly processes.
4Device complexity
If passive devices are used, then they require no power source or control mechanism, but they provide almost always fail to prevent or stabilize the hernia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-controlled system where sensors detect physiological signals and the controller adjusts pressure applicator output accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable hernia stabilization by continuously adapting to actual physiological conditions, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously monitors its own performance through integrated sensors and automatically adjusts pressure levels without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures reliable hernia prevention while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated design.
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 effectively mitigates hernia formation by applying targeted pressure in response to user-specific biofeedback, enhancing prevention and management of various hernia types, including lumbar, ventral, and Spigelian hernias, while providing real-time data for personalized care.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor mechanism configured to identify an amount or change in physical dimension and/or force exerted by a muscle during respiration
Implementation Method 2
a pressure applicator located at one or more anatomical locations at risk of forming a hernia or aggravating a healing hernia to apply a focal load at the one or more locations
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for mitigating and/or preventing a hernia using a wearable device worn by a user such that an output device is positioned at a predetermined location corresponding to a target hernia mitigation site on the user's body. One or more physical parameters of the user are monitored to identify when the user is about to perform a predetermined physical activity, and the output device is activated to provide an output to mitigate a hernia or prevent a hernia from occurring at the mitigation site when the predetermined activity is performed.