Compression Garment with Modular Thermal Inserts for Mobile Therapy

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cold and heat therapies are time-consuming, location-limited, and require immobility, as they typically involve soaking in ice baths or using chemical or electric heat packs.

Innovation Solution

A compression garment made of elastic material with integrated thermal storage components that can be preheated or cooled, allowing for convenient and mobile application of thermal therapy to specific body areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cold therapy using ice baths is used, then cold therapy effect is achieved, but treatment time is excessive and location is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold therapy effectVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The garment divides the thermal therapy function into separate modular components: compressive elastic garment layers and detachable thermal-absorbent inserts. This segmentation allows the thermal inserts to be pre-cooled independently and quickly swapped into the garment, dramatically reducing treatment time while maintaining effective cold therapy application to targeted body areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal-absorbent inserts are designed to be pre-cooled in a freezer before use. This preliminary cooling action allows the inserts to be ready for immediate application when needed, eliminating the time required to cool the therapy medium during the treatment session itself and enabling rapid deployment of effective cold therapy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If conventional heat therapy using heat packs is used, then heat therapy effect is achieved, but mobility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat therapy effectVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is designed as a dynamic, wearable system that moves with the user's body. The elastic compressive material and flexible thermal-absorbent inserts conform to and move with body contours, allowing users to maintain full mobility and perform exercises or daily activities while receiving continuous thermal therapy, unlike stationary conventional heat packs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The garment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides compressive support to the treated area, delivers thermal therapy through the integrated inserts, and allows user mobility. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stationary heat pack applications and enables therapy during movement and activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If conventional cold therapy using ice baths is used, then cold therapy effect is achieved, but user immobility is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold therapy effectVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is designed as a dynamic, wearable system that moves with the user's body. The elastic compressive material and flexible thermal-absorbent inserts conform to and move with body contours, allowing users to maintain full mobility and perform exercises or daily activities while receiving continuous thermal therapy, unlike stationary conventional heat packs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The garment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides compressive support to the treated area, delivers thermal therapy through the integrated inserts, and allows user mobility. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stationary heat pack applications and enables therapy during movement and activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If compression garment with thermal storage components is used, then treatment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment flexibilityVSAvoidgarment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The garment divides the thermal therapy function into separate modular components: compressive elastic garment layers and detachable thermal-absorbent inserts. This segmentation allows the thermal inserts to be pre-cooled independently and quickly swapped into the garment, dramatically reducing treatment time while maintaining effective cold therapy application to targeted body areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables efficient and flexible delivery of thermal therapy, reducing treatment time and eliminating the need for location-specific facilities, while allowing users to maintain mobility during treatment.

Implementation Method 1

a compression garment formed of a compressive material which is coupled to thermal-absorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Compression garment made of elastic material with integrated thermal storage components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250160450A1Compression Garment for Heat and Cold Therapy

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 BOND TAYLOR

AI summary

A thermal therapy compression garment for providing heat or cold therapy to the body of a user wearing the garment is provided. The garment features a garment body formed of elastic material which has a plurality of thermal storage components coupled to the body. With the garment in an as-worn position on the body of a user, heat or cold stored in the thermal storage components is communicated to the body of the user.