Compression Garment Tailoring via Draping and Splicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compression garments require time-consuming and inaccurate measurement processes to customize fit, often failing to provide a contoured shape that precisely fits individual limb shapes and sizes, and are cumbersome to assemble.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two sheets with adjustable straps that are draped around the limb, marked, and cut to fit, then spliced together using fixation elements like zip fasteners or VELCRO, allowing for easy customization without requiring patient measurements, enabling a snug and contoured fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional measurement-based customization is used, then the garment can be fitted to individual limbs, but the process is time-consuming and provides limited accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting accuracyVSAvoidtailoring time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The compression garment system enables the patient to perform the tailoring process themselves without requiring professional measurement services. The patient can adjust the straps and cut the sheets according to their own limb measurements, eliminating the need for therapist intervention and significantly reducing the time required for customization while maintaining fitting accuracy through direct patient involvement in the measurement and adjustment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The garment is provided with pre-marked cutting lines and adjustable straps that are prepared in advance for the patient's use. The measurement indicia and cutting guidelines are predetermined on the garment packaging and sheets, allowing the patient to perform accurate tailoring at home without requiring professional measurement services or complex tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If compression garments are made to fit contoured shapes, then the fit precision improves, but the assembly process becomes very tedious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontoured fit precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compression garment is divided into multiple independent sheets that can be separately prepared and then assembled around the limb. Each sheet can be independently measured, marked, and cut according to the specific contoured requirements of the patient's limb, while the assembly process remains simplified through the use of adjustable straps and self-adhering edges that allow easy joining of the segmented pieces without complex sewing or construction procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If custom garments are manufactured, then the fit accuracy improves, but the complexity of the customization process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustom fit accuracyVSAvoidcustomization process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Measurement indicia and guiding markings serve as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between the patient's limb measurements and the garment construction. These visual guides are directly printed on the sheets and packaging, providing step-by-step instructions and reference lines that simplify the tailoring process and eliminate the need for complex measurement tools or professional fitting techniques, thereby reducing the overall complexity of customization while maintaining high fit accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3675783B1Method for tailoring a compression garment
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 SIGVARIS AG
  • EP3675783B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3675783B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5
  • EP3675783B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7b

AI summary

A method for tailoring a compression garment. The compression garment comprises a first sheet and a second sheet, each having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, at least one strap for holding together the first lateral end of the first sheet and the first lateral end of the second sheet. Said at least one strap is tightenable to establish a compression level to a human limb or body part by the compression garment. The method includes: a first step of adjusting the at least one strap to be in a first position; a second step of draping the compression garment around the limb or the body part; a third step of holding the second lateral end of the first sheet and the second lateral end of the second sheet together to pull the first sheet, the second sheet and the at least one strap into contact with said limb or body part; a fourth step of marking a cutting line on one or both sheets; a fifth step of cutting the first and the second sheet along the cutting line; a sixth step of splicing together both cut ends with at least one splicing element.