Compression Sleeve Notch Structure for Easier Donning and Doffing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compression garments are difficult to don and doff due to their snug fit, especially when designed for specific body parts like wrists or ankles, and lack features that facilitate easy adjustment and fitting over varying limb sizes.

Innovation Solution

A compression garment with a notch and elastic stretch panel loop that allows for easy expansion and contraction, enabling easier fitting and removal, and can be combined with additional compression garments for enhanced adjustability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the compression garment is designed with a snug fit for specific body parts, then the compression effectiveness is improved, but the ease of donning and doffing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression effectivenessVSAvoidease of donning and doffing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is divided into multiple segments including a first portion for the wrist/ankle, a second portion for the hand/foot, and a transition portion connecting them. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently - the first portion can be snug for compression while the transition portion provides gradual expansion to facilitate easy donning and doffing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transition portion is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to expand and contract during donning and doffing operations. The gradual change in circumference from the first portion to the second portion creates a dynamic structure that accommodates the movement of the limb during garment application and removal, making the process easier while maintaining compression effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the compression garment is designed for a specific body part size, then the compression precision is improved, but the adaptability to varying limb sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression precisionVSAvoidadaptability to varying limb sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the garment have different structural qualities optimized for their specific functions. The first portion has a snug fit for precise compression, the transition portion has a gradual expansion for adaptability, and the second portion accommodates the hand or foot. This local differentiation allows the garment to adapt to varying limb sizes while maintaining compression precision where needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The garment utilizes changes in physical parameters along its length, particularly in the transition portion where the circumference gradually changes. This parameter variation allows the garment to accommodate different limb sizes - the transition portion can stretch and expand to fit larger or smaller limbs while the first portion maintains consistent compression precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates easy donning and doffing of compression garments by providing a wider opening through a notch and elastic stretch panel, accommodating varying limb sizes and enhancing user comfort and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic stretch panel loop that allows for easy expansion and contraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4240305B1Foam sleeve garment with easy access feature
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SIGVARIS AG
  • EP4240305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4240305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4240305B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A chip sleeve garment including an outer layer of fabric connected to an inner layer of fabric to form a sleeve with a space between the outer layer of fabric and the inner layer of fabric. Foam chips, flat foam, or foam with ridges are disposed in the space between the outer layer of fabric and the inner layer of fabric. The garment includes two ends, including at least one open end, and a notch in at least one open end having an opening. The notch can be separated to create a larger opening than the opening to allow the garment to be donned or doffed easier than the opening allows. A second garment can be disposed over the chip sleeve garment. Either the chip sleeve garment, the second garment, or both can be compression garments.