Compression Sleeve Spot Welds and Moisture Vents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression sleeves for deep vein thrombosis prevention are uncomfortable due to trapped moisture, non-stretchable, bulky, and restrictive, leading to patient non-compliance and potential health risks.
Innovation Solution
A compression device with an elastic inner layer and outer cover, featuring spot-welded inflatable bladders with strategically located openings for moisture evaporation, designed to enhance comfort and mobility while maintaining clinical efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If impermeable sheets are used to construct compression sleeves, then fluid tightness and durability are improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to trapped moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The impermeable sheet is segmented by introducing openings (perforations or slits) that divide the continuous barrier into separate regions, allowing moisture to escape while maintaining compression functionality in other areas
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful trapped moisture is extracted from the system by creating pathways (openings) that allow moisture to be removed from between the sheet and patient's body part, preventing accumulation
2Strength
If thick impervious sheets are used to withstand compression cycles, then durability is improved, but device flexibility and patient mobility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet has different properties in different regions: thick and impervious in areas requiring durability and compression retention, thin or open in areas requiring flexibility and moisture management, creating a non-uniform structure that balances conflicting requirements
3Stability of the object's composition
If inflatable bladders are retained in fixed position, then structural stability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to chafing and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder structure is changed from fixed to dynamic by introducing openings that allow the bladder to shift and conform during inflation/deflation cycles, reducing rigid contact points that cause chafing while maintaining overall positional stability
4Stress or pressure
If continuous impermeable coverage is used, then compression effectiveness is improved, but moisture evaporation and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device has localized openings in specific regions where moisture management is prioritized, while maintaining continuous impermeable coverage in areas where compression pressure is most critical, creating zone-specific functionality
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 solution provides effective blood flow augmentation and increased patient compliance by ensuring comfort and ease of use, with improved evaporation rates and reduced irritation, thus addressing the limitations of prior art devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least some of the embodiments of the present invention provide a solution to the problem of trapped fluid by moving the fluid from underneath the impervious sheet, at a sufficient rate, to a plurality of openings positioned, sized and shaped to maintain blood flow and evaporate the moisture
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of openings positioned, sized and shaped to maintain blood flow and evaporate the moisture
Data Source
AI summary
A compression device for being wrapped around a body portion of a wearer includes an inner layer and an outer cover. First and second bladder layers are secured together to define an inflatable bladder having an outer perimeter. The inner layer, outer cover and first and second bladder layers are joined together at a plurality of discrete spot welds within the outer perimeter of the inflatable bladder.