Compression Sleeve Structural Support and Moisture Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices for treating deep vein thrombosis and peripheral edema are uncomfortable due to trapped moisture, non-stretchable, bulky, and restrictive, leading to patient non-compliance and potential health risks.
Innovation Solution
A compression sleeve design featuring flexible, breathable, and elastic materials with strategically located openings for moisture evaporation, combined with a structural component to maintain spacing between inflatable bladders, ensuring comfort and effective blood flow while maintaining clinical efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If impermeable sheets are used to construct compression bladders, then durability and fluid tightness are improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to trapped moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous or permeable materials to the compression device structure, specifically using a breathable outer cover material that allows moisture vapor transmission. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining durability through proper material selection while eliminating trapped moisture through controlled permeability, directly addressing patient comfort concerns.
2Strength
If thick impervious sheets are used for bladders, then structural strength is improved, but device flexibility and patient mobility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by using a multi-layer construction where the bladder is formed from flexible material and covered with a breathable outer cover. This thin-film approach maintains structural strength through proper layer configuration while enabling device flexibility and patient mobility, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
3Reliability
If inflatable bladders are retained in fixed position, then compression effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation increases due to rubbing and chafing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compression device elastic and stretchable, allowing it to move and flex with the patient's limb rather than remaining fixed. The breathable outer cover and elastic construction enable the device to adapt dynamically to limb movement, maintaining compression effectiveness while reducing skin irritation caused by rubbing and chafing.
4Stress or pressure
If non-stretchable materials are used for bladders, then pressure retention is improved, but device elasticity and patient mobility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple layers with different properties: an inner bladder layer for pressure retention and an outer breathable cover for elasticity and comfort. This composite construction maintains effective compression pressure while providing the elasticity needed for patient mobility and comfort, directly resolving the contradiction between pressure retention and adaptability.
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 sleeve provides substantial cooling, reduces irritation, and improves patient mobility and compliance by effectively evaporating moisture and maintaining blood flow augmentation, thus addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
A compression sleeve constructed with a breathable outer cover, a wicking material, and an impervious intermediate layer... The wicking material is positioned between the outer cover and the impervious intermediate layer... access to skin will provide evaporation of bodily fluids collected at the openings
Implementation Method 2
access to skin will provide evaporation of bodily fluids collected at the openings... The sleeve provides substantial cooling, reduces irritation, and improves patient mobility and compliance by effectively evaporating moisture
Data Source
AI summary
A compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes adjacent flexible sleeve sections. At least one of the sleeve sections has an air bladder therein adapted to inflate for compressing a portion of the leg. A structural component is secured to the sleeve and extends generally between the flexible sleeve sections to maintain a spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. Bladder layers are joined together to form the air bladder. The bladder is joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.