Compression Sleeve Shielded Connector Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic compression sleeves cause discomfort due to the hard plastic connector coming into contact with the wearer's skin, and the sleeve may move, allowing the connector to contact the skin beyond the distal edge.

Innovation Solution

A compression sleeve design featuring a distal edge with a first and second portion, where the second portion includes a shield or extension that underlies the connector, preventing skin contact by increasing the sleeve's area and acting as a barrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hard plastic connector is used to connect the tube to the compression control unit, then the connection reliability is improved, but the wearer comfort deteriorates due to skin contact discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidwearer comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A soft connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the tube and compression control unit, replacing the hard plastic connector. This soft connector maintains the functional connection while eliminating the harmful skin contact discomfort, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and wearer comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The material property parameter of the connector is changed from hard plastic to soft material. This parameter change allows the connector to maintain its structural function while becoming compliant with skin contact requirements, thereby improving wearer comfort without sacrificing connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the sleeve length is kept standard without extension, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the connector may contact the skin beyond the distal edge causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeve structure simplicityVSAvoidskin contact discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve is extended in the longitudinal dimension beyond the standard length. This dimensional extension ensures that the sleeve coverage extends past the connector location, preventing skin contact discomfort while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve is designed with extended length in advance, covering the connector area before any movement or use occurs. This preliminary design action prevents the potential harmful effect of connector-skin contact without requiring additional components or complex adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8652079B2Compression garment having an extension

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 KPR U S LLC

AI summary

A compression garment for applying compression therapy to a wearer's body including a compression sleeve having a proximal edge and a distal edge. The sleeve includes at least one bladder. A tube is attached to the bladder. A connector on the tube connects the tube to a source of compressed fluid for inflating the bladder. The distal edge of the compression sleeve has a first portion and a second portion jutting distally from the first portion.