Disposable Blood Pressure Cuff Composite Bladder Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pressure cuffs made of vinyl are environmentally unfriendly due to hazardous gas emissions during disposal, and alternative materials like paper-like and polyethylene/polypropylene lack the necessary properties for effective single-use cuffs that are comfortable and economical.
Innovation Solution
A blood pressure cuff construction using a combination of 'paper-like' material for outer tensile strength and polyethylene or polypropylene for welding, with a perimetric bladder weld joint to form a soft, strong, and comfortable pressure bladder chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vinyl is used for the blood pressure cuff, then the cuff is strong and can be heat welded to form a pressure containment bladder, but the vinyl emits hazardous gases when burned during disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining paper-like material with a thermoplastic layer. The paper-like material provides tensile strength and comfort, while the thermoplastic layer enables heat welding and seals the bladder. This composite approach allows the cuff to be manufactured using heat welding techniques while avoiding the use of vinyl, thus eliminating hazardous gas emissions during disposal.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If paper-like material is used for the blood pressure cuff, then the cuff is comfortable and clean burning, but the material cannot be heat welded to form a pressure containment bladder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines paper-like material with a thermoplastic layer to create a composite structure. The paper-like material provides comfort and clean burning properties, while the thermoplastic layer adds heat welding capability. The thermoplastic layer is applied to the paper-like material, allowing the composite to be heat welded to form sealed joints and a pressure containment bladder while retaining the beneficial properties of the paper-like material.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If polyethylene or polypropylene is used for the blood pressure cuff, then the material is clean burning and can be heat welded, but the material is weak under tension and the bladder expands like a balloon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where paper-like material provides high tensile strength to prevent bladder expansion, while polyethylene or polypropylene provides clean burning properties and heat welding capability. The thermoplastic layer is applied to the paper-like material, creating a composite that combines the strength of paper with the weldability and environmental benefits of thermoplastics.
4Productivity
If a reusable blood pressure cuff is used, then the cuff can be used on multiple patients, but there is a risk of patient to patient contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a disposable blood pressure cuff designed for single-use on one patient. The cuff incorporates a paper-like material with a thermoplastic layer that enables manufacturing while providing environmental benefits. After use, the cuff is discarded, eliminating the risk of patient-to-patient contamination. The design balances disposability with environmental friendliness through the use of clean-burning materials.
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 cuff is environmentally friendly, comfortable, and economical for single-use disposal, offering a cost-effective solution that maintains pressure containment and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
polyethylene or polypropylene for welding, with a perimetric bladder weld joint to form a soft, strong, and comfortable pressure bladder chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A low-cost blood pressure cuff includes a bladder assembly comprised of a flexible inner layer of a first material and a flexible outer layer of a second material. The first and second materials are weldable to each other. A top sheet has a first portion that overlies the outer layer and a tail portion extending longitudinally from the first portion. The third portion is comprised of a third material that is not weldable to itself. A perimetric bladder weld joint joining the inner layer, the outer layer, and the top sheet to each other. An enhanced embodiment of the cuff includes a bottom sheet having at least a first portion which underlies the inner layer and which is comprised of a fourth material which is not weldable to itself. The bladder weld joint extends into the bottom sheet thereby joining the bottom sheet to at least the inner layer.