Compression Device With Segmented Thermal Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices face challenges in providing site-specific, high, and reproducible compression while ensuring proper placement, temperature control, and portability, especially when used in conjunction with other therapies like cold therapy.
Innovation Solution
The development of a compression device comprising a first segment with a fluid chamber and a second segment housing temperature-sensitive material, compartmentalized to prevent migration, which is ergonomically designed for specific body sites, with a control unit to manage fluid inflation and temperature, ensuring sequential and intermittent compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If temperature sensitive material is distributed evenly in the second segment, then uniform temperature distribution is achieved, but material migration occurs during compression cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The second segment is divided into multiple compartments, each containing temperature sensitive material. This segmentation prevents material migration between compartments while maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the treatment area. The compartments are separated by partitions that restrict material movement during compression cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensitive material is pre-positioned within compartments before the device is used. This preliminary placement ensures that the material remains in the correct positions to provide uniform cooling throughout the treatment area, preventing migration issues during operation.
2Reliability
If compression is applied continuously, then therapeutic effect is maintained, but tissue damage and reduced blood flow occur
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between compression and decompression phases. During compression, therapeutic pressure is applied to the target area; during decompression, blood flow is restored. This periodic action maintains therapeutic effectiveness while preventing tissue damage and ensuring adequate perfusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous therapeutic effect through repeated compression cycles. Rather than applying compression intermittently with long breaks, the device provides continuous beneficial compression action with brief decompression periods, ensuring uninterrupted therapeutic benefit while allowing periodic blood flow restoration.
3Ease of operation
If device is designed for portability, then patient mobility is improved, but temperature control precision and compression consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the patient's own body movements and positioning to maintain proper device alignment and compression application. The ergonomic design allows the device to self-adjust to body contours, maintaining compression consistency without requiring external power sources or complex control systems that would reduce portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves temperature control through phase change materials rather than active cooling systems. The temperature sensitive material undergoes phase transitions at specific temperatures, providing passive temperature regulation that maintains precision without requiring heavy power supplies, thus preserving portability.
4Area of stationary object
If device covers entire body site, then comprehensive treatment is provided, but compression uniformity and site-specific precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment area is divided into multiple segments or zones, each with its own compression chamber or temperature control element. This segmentation allows independent control of compression and temperature in different regions, providing comprehensive coverage while maintaining uniformity and precision in each specific zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device are designed with different properties to meet specific treatment requirements. Certain areas have higher compression force or different temperature characteristics tailored to the specific anatomical and therapeutic needs of each body region, achieving both comprehensive coverage and localized precision.
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 achieves effective site-specific compression and temperature control, enhancing tissue oxygenation and temperature reduction, outperforming comparative devices in achieving uniform cooling and increased blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
a first segment cooperative with a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber adapted for inflation by fluid from a fluid source
Implementation Method 2
a second segment housing a temperature sensitive material
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and devices for intermittently and sequentially compressing a body site include a first segment cooperative with a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber adapted for inflation by fluid; and a second segment cooperative with the first segment, the second segment housing a temperature sensitive material, wherein the temperature sensitive material is uniquely compartmentalized in the second segment. Methods for using said apparatus and devices include site specific treatment to achieve a desired temperature of the underlying tissue.