Compression Sleeve With Elastic Central Region For Oedema Therapy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices for treating oedema and venous lymphatic disorders often require medical professional application and frequent reapplication, are difficult to put on, and may not provide uniform or effective compression due to gaps and non-uniform pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A compression sleeve with a specific material having high elasticity in the transverse direction and a releasable closure system that allows for easy application and adjustment, providing consistent and high standing pressures through a steep difference quotient of tension, ensuring effective compression therapy without the need for frequent medical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression bandages are applied to provide sustained compression and rigidity, then compression effectiveness is improved, but the device requires frequent reapplication by medical professionals due to pressure reduction and non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device incorporates an elastic component that dynamically adapts to limb volume changes. As the limb swells or shrinks, the elastic material automatically adjusts the compression force, maintaining therapeutic pressure without requiring manual reapplication. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between sustained compression effectiveness and the time loss from frequent reapplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes materials with specific elastic modulus values (0.01-0.1 N/mm²) that change their mechanical properties in response to applied stress. This parameter change allows the compression garment to maintain optimal pressure over time and through multiple wear cycles, eliminating the need for frequent professional reapplication while preserving compression reliability.
2Ease of operation
If compression stockings are made highly elastic to facilitate easy application, then ease of operation is improved, but the compression effectiveness is reduced due to excessive stretch
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device employs different materials with different elastic moduli in different regions. The distal portion (foot and lower calf) uses material with lower elastic modulus (0.01-0.05 N/mm²) for higher compression, while the proximal portion uses material with higher elastic modulus (0.05-0.1 N/mm²) for easier application. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of application and compression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment combines multiple materials with complementary properties: an elastic component for ease of application and a less elastic component for sustained compression. This composite construction allows the device to be easy to put on while maintaining therapeutic compression levels without excessive stretch.
3Force
If multiple layers of compression bandage are applied to accumulate pressure, then compression force is improved, but the application complexity increases requiring medical professional intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the functions of multiple compression layers into a single integrated garment. The elastic and less elastic components work together as a unified system to provide the cumulative compression force that would otherwise require multiple separate bandage layers, simplifying application while maintaining compression force.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates an inflatable cuff that can be inflated to a specific pressure (e.g., 40 mmHg) to provide the necessary compression force. This pneumatic mechanism delivers high compression force through a single component, avoiding the complexity of applying and securing multiple manual compression layers.
4Reliability
If compression material has low elasticity to maintain compression pressure, then compression reliability is improved, but the device becomes difficult to put on and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is segmented into distinct functional zones: an elastic portion for easy application and removal, and a less elastic portion for maintaining compression pressure. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compression reliability.
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
The compression sleeve provides consistent and effective compression, resisting stretch to achieve high standing pressures, facilitating comfortable and uniform pressure distribution, thus enhancing the management of oedema and venous lymphatic disorders without the need for frequent medical reapplication.
Implementation Method 1
at least the central region of the sleeve comprises a material having elasticity in at least the transverse direction of the sleeve, a maximum elongation in said transverse direction from 5% up to and including 30% under a load of 10 N per cm width and a difference quotient of tension in transverse direction from 20% elongation to 25% elongation equal to or greater that 0.6 N per cm width per percent elongation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a compression device for applying compression to a body part of a user. The compression devices comprises a sleeve for substantially covering a portion of the body part of a user, wherein the sleeve has an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper edge, a lower edge and two lateral side edges. In the transverse direction from the first lateral side edge to the second lateral side edge the sleeve comprises a first lateral side region, a central region and a second lateral side region. At least the central region of the sleeve comprises a main material having elasticity in at least the transverse direction of the sleeve. A maximum elongation in the transverse direction is from 5% up to and including 30% under a load of 10 N per cm width and a difference quotient of tension in transverse direction from 20% elongation to 25% elongation equal to or greater that 0.6 N per cm width per percent elongation. The device further comprising a releasable closure system configured and arranged relative to the sleeve, such that, in use, upon closure of the closure system the sleeve is restrained and tightened about the body part of the user.