Compression Belt With Pulley System for Post-Surgical Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical compression devices, such as cardiac pillows and conventional belts, are inadequate for providing temporary chest or abdominal compression post-surgically due to issues like misplacement, insufficient arm strength, discomfort, and complex operation, particularly for thoracic and abdominal patients, including those with mobility issues or obesity.
Innovation Solution
A compression belt with a pulley system and flexible cord mechanism that allows for easy application and adjustment, providing temporary circumferential compression with a mechanical advantage and a one-way cord lock for sustained compression without continuous handle pulling, enabling comfortable and secure use by patients with limited hand strength or mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional belt is used to provide abdominal support, then extra support is provided to the abdomen, but it becomes uncomfortable for extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The belt transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic system with adjustable tensioning. The pulley and cord mechanism allows the patient to dynamically adjust the compression level based on their needs throughout the day, providing strong support when needed while allowing relaxation during other activities, thereby reducing discomfort during extended wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of compression force from fixed to variable. By using a ratchet mechanism and adjustable cord tensioning, the compression parameter can be modified according to patient comfort and medical needs, allowing the same belt to provide both strong support and comfortable wear over extended periods.
2Strength
If a cardiac pillow is used for chest compression, then splinting of sternal fracture is achieved, but the patient cannot reach it in time when needed due to misplacement or falling off
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is designed to be worn continuously on the patient's body, eliminating the need for the patient to reach for a separate pillow. The self-retaining ratchet mechanism allows the patient to independently adjust and maintain compression without assistance, ensuring the support is always available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression mechanism is integrated directly into the belt structure that is worn on the patient's body, nesting the functional elements within the wearable garment itself rather than as a separate external object, ensuring constant availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional belt with length adjustment mechanism is used, then fit adjustment is possible, but operation becomes complicated and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The complex length adjustment mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler cord tensioning system using pulleys and a ratchet. This separates the fitting function (initial belt selection) from the compression adjustment function (cord tensioning), making the operation simpler and more intuitive for patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord and pulley system acts as an intermediary between the patient's manual input and the belt compression. Instead of directly adjusting belt length or tension, the patient pulls the cord which translates through the pulley system to create smooth, controlled compression, simplifying the operation.
4Strength
If a cardiac pillow is used for chest compression, then splinting is provided, but patients lack sufficient arm or hand strength to press the pillow against the chest effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is pre-configured with the compression mechanism already in place and adjusted to the patient's body measurements. The ratchet mechanism is pre-set to maintain compression without requiring continuous patient effort, eliminating the need for the patient to repeatedly apply force with their arms and hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical action of the patient pressing the pillow with their hands is replaced by a mechanical advantage system using pulleys and a ratchet mechanism. This substitutes the patient's limited hand strength with a mechanical system that amplifies small cord pulls into effective chest or abdominal compression.
5Ease of operation
If both hands are needed for mobility using a walker, then the patient cannot carry and use the cardiac pillow, but compression support is still needed
Solution Approach 1:
The belt's ratchet mechanism is designed to maintain compression automatically once adjusted, without requiring continuous patient input. This self-service feature allows the patient to use both hands for mobility aids while the belt independently maintains the necessary compression support.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression action continues automatically through the ratchet mechanism's one-way locking feature, maintaining useful compression support even when the patient's hands are occupied with mobility devices, ensuring uninterrupted therapeutic effect.
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 compression belt effectively provides consistent and comfortable temporary compression to the chest or abdomen, addressing the limitations of existing devices by simplifying operation, reducing discomfort, and ensuring sustained compression even when both hands are needed for mobility or other tasks.
Implementation Method 1
A handle is connected to the third cord portion, whereby withdrawing the third cord portion from the third pulley bank by pulling the handle away from the third pulley bank causes a shortening of the first cord portion such that the first and second pulley banks move closer together
Implementation Method 2
A selectively releasable one-way cord lock mechanism is connected to the belt body, the cord lock mechanism including a frame defining a cord passage through which the third cord portion is routed after leaving the third pulley bank, a locking member mounted in the frame and movable between a locked position and a released position
Data Source
AI summary
A compression belt encircles a selected portion of a patient's body and provides temporary compression of the selected portion. The compression belt comprises an elongated belt having first and second free ends free, a tensioning cord, a handle attached to the end of the tensioning cord, closing mechanism providing a mechanical advantage, a one-way tension mechanism and a selective release mechanism. Pulling the handle causes the closing mechanism to pull the first and second free ends closer together so as to compress the selected portion of the patient's body, the one-way tension mechanism maintains compression of the patient's body, even in the absence of continued pulling of the handle, unless the selective release mechanism is activated, and activating the selected release mechanism releases the compression of the patient's body.