Portable Chest Band with Vibrating Elements for Lung Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chest therapy devices are often cumbersome, restrictive, and require users to be stationary, limiting their mobility and ability to engage in daily activities during treatment.

Innovation Solution

A portable apparatus featuring a chest band with vibrating elements that can be worn to provide vibrational force for lung drainage and airway clearance, allowing users to move freely while receiving therapy, powered by a lightweight and portable system that includes a wearable pack for nebulizer treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional chest therapy devices are used, then effective lung drainage and airway clearance can be achieved, but the devices are cumbersome and require users to be stationary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility during treatmentVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chest therapy device is divided into multiple vibrating elements that can be independently positioned on the chest band, allowing the system to be distributed across the user's body rather than concentrated in a single heavy unit. This segmentation enables effective coverage of multiple lung zones while maintaining user mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The therapy system transitions from a stationary, ground-based device to a wearable configuration that operates in the dimension of body-mounted portability. By integrating vibrating elements into a chest band that wraps around the user's torso, the system enables three-dimensional mobility while maintaining therapeutic contact with the chest wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If chest therapy is administered effectively, then lung drainage improves, but users cannot engage in daily activities during treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform daily activities during therapyVSAvoidtherapy effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chest band and vibrating elements are designed to move dynamically with the user's body during daily activities rather than restricting movement. The flexible band material and strategically positioned vibrating elements allow the user to walk, talk, and perform routine tasks while maintaining therapeutic vibration delivery to the chest wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: delivering chest physiotherapy vibrations while allowing the user to engage in daily activities. The system integrates therapy delivery with normal lifestyle movement, making the device versatile enough to support both therapeutic and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple vibrating elements are used to cover different lung zones, then therapy effectiveness increases, but device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of different lung zonesVSAvoidchest band weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different vibrating elements are positioned at specific locations on the chest band corresponding to different lung zones (anterior, lateral, posterior). Each element is tailored to its specific anatomical position to provide targeted therapy to corresponding lung segments, maximizing therapeutic coverage while minimizing unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces a single heavy mechanical percussion device with multiple lighter electronic vibrating elements distributed across the chest band. This substitution of mechanical percussion with electronically-driven vibration allows for effective multi-zone coverage while significantly reducing overall device weight and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables users to receive effective chest physical therapy while maintaining mobility, enhancing the frequency and convenience of treatment sessions and improving breathing during exercise, with minimal encumbrance and psychological benefits from increased lifestyle flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

one or more vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12076483B2Portable apparatus for providing chest therapy

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 EXEMPLAR MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

An apparatus includes an elongated band having a first terminal end, a second terminal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A plurality of openings extend through the top surface and the bottom surface of the band. A plurality of moveable vibrating elements are coupled to the band at the plurality of openings. A plurality of moveable covers are also coupled to the band. Each of the covers encloses an internal cavity configured to receive one or more of the moveable vibrating elements. A releasable connection assembly includes a first terminal-end connector coupled to the first terminal end of the band and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the second terminal end of the elongated band. The second terminal-end connector is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.