Compression Therapy System with Pulse Oximetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compression therapy systems for venous insufficiency are inadequate for patients with both venous insufficiency and arterial occlusive disease, as they lack comprehensive monitoring to ensure safe pressure application, potentially leading to hypoperfusion and tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A system incorporating a compression means, a pressure sensor, and a pulse oximetric oxygen sensor that transmits data to a computer for real-time monitoring and alarm generation if pressure or oxygen saturation falls outside predetermined ranges, enabling simultaneous monitoring of pressure and oxygen saturation to ensure safe therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compression therapy is applied to patients with venous insufficiency and arterial occlusive disease, then venous hypertension is reduced and blood supply is improved, but hypoperfusion and tissue destruction may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of compression therapyVSAvoidhypoperfusion and tissue destruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors oxygen saturation levels and pressure during compression therapy, providing real-time feedback to detect hypoperfusion conditions. When oxygen saturation falls below a predetermined threshold or pressure exceeds safe limits, the system generates alarm signals to alert medical personnel, enabling timely intervention to prevent tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary checks of pressure and oxygen saturation levels before and during compression therapy application. By establishing predetermined safe pressure ranges and oxygen saturation thresholds in advance, the system prevents dangerous conditions from developing, allowing safe compression therapy in patients with arterial occlusive disease who were previously considered high-risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If only pressure monitoring is used in compression therapy, then application pressure can be controlled, but comprehensive safety monitoring for patients with arterial occlusive disease is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure monitoring accuracyVSAvoidcomprehensive safety monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines pressure monitoring with pulse oximetric oxygen saturation monitoring in a single integrated compression therapy system. This merging of multiple monitoring functions provides comprehensive safety monitoring that detects both pressure-related issues and oxygenation problems, enabling reliable detection of hypoperfusion conditions that pressure monitoring alone cannot identify.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If compression therapy is avoided in patients with arterial occlusive disease due to safety concerns, then tissue damage is prevented, but venous insufficiency treatment is denied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety assuranceVSAvoidapplicability to broader patient groups
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing continuous feedback monitoring of oxygen saturation and pressure with automated alarm systems, the system provides objective safety assurance that enables compression therapy to be safely applied to patients with arterial occlusive disease who were previously excluded from treatment, thus expanding adaptability to broader patient groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This system enhances safety by preventing acute failures in compression therapy, detecting potential blood flow issues, and making compression therapy accessible to a broader patient group by ensuring accurate pressure application and oxygen saturation levels.

Implementation Method 1

a pulse oximetric oxygen sensor, wherein measured values of the pressure sensor and the oxygen sensor can be transmitted to the computer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse oximetry: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP3821870B1System for compression therapy comprising a pressure sensor and a pulse oximetric oxygen sensor
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 PAUL HARTMANN AG
  • EP3821870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3821870B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for compression therapy comprising a compression agent, a pressure sensor (3), a pulse oximetric oxygen sensor (4), and a computer. The invention also relates to a computer-implemented method for verifying compression therapy.