Compression Sleeve with Removable Bladder Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression devices for preventing deep vein thrombosis are bulky and cumbersome, reducing patient comfort and mobility during recovery, and lack a practical method for removing sections to accommodate different body parts effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compression sleeve design featuring first and second opposing bladder layers secured along two bladder lines with a connecting section and a line of weakness for selective separation, allowing for a removable thigh section and improved comfort and mobility by using a discontinuous overlying layer to facilitate tearing along a line of weakness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece compression device is used to provide continuous compression therapy, then compression effectiveness is maintained, but patient mobility and comfort are reduced due to bulk and cumbersome nature
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is divided into a first section and a second section that can be selectively separated. The first section includes first and second bladder layers with first bladders, while the second section includes the same layers with second bladders. A connecting section with a line of weakness allows the sections to be torn apart, enabling the device to be worn on different body parts (e.g., one leg vs. both legs) while maintaining compression effectiveness in each section.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a removable section is added to allow reconfiguration of the compression device, then adaptability and comfort are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into separable sections with a connecting section that includes a line of weakness. This allows the device to be reconfigured from a two-section configuration to a single-section configuration by tearing along the line of weakness, providing adaptability without requiring complex mechanical fastening or fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting section is designed as a removable element that can be extracted by tearing along the line of weakness. This extraction mechanism allows the first and second sections to be separated while maintaining the integrity of the bladder layers and compression functionality in each section.
3Reliability
If multiple layers of differing composition are used to provide effective compression, then compression therapy effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to difficulty in tearing through multiple layers
Solution Approach 1:
The line of weakness is positioned specifically in the connecting section between the first and second sections. The connecting section has different material properties compared to the bladder layers - it is designed to be easily torn while the bladder layers maintain their integrity for effective compression. This local differentiation allows easy separation at the connecting section while maintaining compression effectiveness in the bladder layers.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A device for applying compression treatment to a part of a wearer's body comprises first and second inflatable bladders spaced apart from one another along an axis of the device. A line of weakness in a connecting section between the first and second bladders extends generally transverse to the axis of the device for selectively separating the inflatable bladders from one another. The device includes an overlying layer in generally opposing relationship to one of the first and second bladder layers. The overlying layer is discontinuous generally adjacent to the line of weakness to define terminal edge margins of the overlying layer extending generally along the line of weakness. Each of the terminal edge margins are connected to at least one of the first and second bladder layers on an opposite side of the line of weakness from the other terminal edge margin.