Medical Compression Garment Asymmetric Fasteners Donning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic compression suits for medical purposes are difficult to put on and take off due to their tight fit, often requiring significant freedom of movement and assistance, which can cause distress and discomfort, especially for individuals with certain medical conditions, and require precise fitting that may change over time.
Innovation Solution
A medical compression garment with elongate fasteners offset from the central axis, allowing for greater opening and easier donning and doffing, featuring zip fasteners that extend along the garment length and include auxiliary fasteners for adjustable tightness, along with a protective layer to alleviate irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suit provides constant compression to improve therapeutic effect, then the therapeutic benefit is improved, but the difficulty of donning and doffing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suit is divided into multiple panels (front panels, back panels, side panels) that can be independently separated through strategically positioned fasteners. This segmentation allows the suit to be opened into wider gaps for easier donning and doffing while maintaining compression integrity when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
Fasteners serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the need for tight compression and the need for easy opening. These fasteners create controlled separation points that allow the suit to be opened sufficiently for donning/doffing while maintaining compression in the closed state.
2Manufacturing precision
If the suit fits tightly to provide accurate compression, then the therapeutic precision is improved, but the comfort of the wearer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suit applies compression locally through strategically positioned panels and fasteners rather than uniform tightness throughout. This allows high compression where therapeutically needed while providing relief zones near fasteners and seams to reduce overall discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The suit transitions from a static tight-fitting design to a dynamic system where compression can be locally adjusted or released through fasteners. This allows the compression level to be modulated based on comfort needs while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If the suit is made to measure for accurate fit, then the therapeutic precision is improved, but the adaptability to body changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suit incorporates adjustable fasteners that allow the compression level and fit to be dynamically modified over time. This enables the same suit to adapt to body changes (such as growth in children or weight changes) without requiring complete replacement, while maintaining the precision fit characteristics.
4Device complexity
If the fasteners are positioned centrally to close the suit, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the freedom of movement required for donning increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single central fastener, the design uses multiple fasteners positioned asymmetrically at strategic locations (front, back, sides). This asymmetric distribution creates multiple opening points that allow the suit to be opened in directions that require less extreme limb movement, making donning easier.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical compression suit has first and second elongate openings and first and second fasteners for releasably closing the first and second elongate openings respectively such that releasing the fasteners allows the openings to be opened, facilitating the donning and doffing of the suit by a wearer, the first and second openings being provided on the front or the rear of the suit.