Compression Garment Knee Zone With Low Venous Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression garments often apply excessive pressure to the knee region, leading to potential fatal complications such as venous occlusion, thrombosis, and discomfort, due to the unique anatomical sensitivity and vulnerability of this area, which prior art fails to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A garment design that applies no compressive force or less than 8 mmHg of compressive force to the venous vessels at, above, or below the knee, incorporating features like notches, apertures, or cut-outs in the posterior region and a stepped or angled cuff to reduce pressure, while maintaining support elsewhere on the limb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression garments apply high compressive force to the lower limb to support venous circulation, then venous blood flow enhancement is improved, but the risk of venous occlusion and thrombosis increases in the knee region
Solution Approach 1:
The garment applies different compressive forces to different anatomical regions: high compression (20-40 mmHg) to the calf muscles to enhance venous return, and low or zero compression (<8 mmHg) to the knee region to avoid venous occlusion. This spatial differentiation of compression intensity resolves the contradiction by optimizing blood flow support where needed while preventing harmful occlusion where vulnerable.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is divided into distinct functional zones with independent compression characteristics: a calf compression zone with high elasticity material for strong compression, and a knee zone with reduced compression through design features like notches, apertures, or cut-outs. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, maintaining circulation support while preventing occlusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compression garments provide continuous pressure coverage across the knee to support entire venous system, then venous circulation coverage is improved, but comfort and safety deteriorate due to excessive pressure on vulnerable structures
Solution Approach 1:
The garment provides comprehensive venous system coverage through continuous material coverage on the thigh and calf, while locally modifying the knee region to provide minimal compression. The knee area incorporates notches, apertures, or cut-outs that reduce compressive force to less than 8 mmHg, protecting vulnerable neurovascular structures while maintaining overall system coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment extracts or removes compressive force from the specific knee region while maintaining compression elsewhere. Design features such as notches, apertures, or cut-outs in the knee area effectively 'take out' the harmful compression element, allowing the garment to provide venous support without compromising safety or comfort in the vulnerable knee zone.
3Reliability
If graduated compression system applies greater pressure at ankle with decreasing force towards upper leg, then venous return support is improved, but knee region may still experience excessive pressure causing occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The garment modifies the traditional graduated compression profile by introducing a local compression minimum at the knee region. While the overall gradient from ankle to thigh is maintained for venous return support, the knee area specifically incorporates notches, apertures, or cut-outs to create a localized zone of reduced compression (<8 mmHg), preventing occlusion while preserving the beneficial pressure gradient elsewhere.
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
Reduces the risk of venous occlusion and discomfort by minimizing pressure on the knee area, enhancing comfort and safety for the wearer, while maintaining effective compression elsewhere on the lower limb.
Implementation Method 1
The sock is formed from an elastic material and comprises an elastic band that is provided around a top of the sock
Implementation Method 2
the part of said garment that covers said knee and/or is provided at, above or below the knee when the garment is worn in use has at least one region that applies no compressive force to the venous vessels of the knee or any compressive force that is applied to the venous vessels of the knee is less than or equal to about 8 mmHg
Data Source
AI summary
A garment is provided that is arranged to be worn on a lower limb of a human subject and to cover a knee of the lower limb of the human subject and/or be provided at, above or below the knee of the lower limb of the human subject in use. At least one section of said garment is arranged to provide a compressive force to one or more locations on the lower limb of the human subject when worn in use. The garment is arranged such that the part of said garment that covers said knee and/or is provided at, immediately above or immediately below the knee when the garment is worn in use has at least one region that applies no compressive force to the venous vessels of the knee of the human subject or any compressive force that is applied to the venous vessels of the knee is less than or equal to about 8 mmHg.