Elastic Compression Garment with Thermal Pockets for Post-Surgical Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical compression garments are not effectively designed to apply targeted pressure and cooling for post-surgical recovery, as they often rely on straps, rigid ribs, or protrusions that are not conducive for long-term effectiveness, especially in the context of post-surgical recovery.

Innovation Solution

A post-surgical compression garment featuring a unitary garment body with specially configured and sized elastic protrusions and pockets to receive thermal packs, providing targeted pressure and cooling therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If straps and rigid ribs are used to apply pressure, then pressure can be applied to the patient, but the effectiveness is compromised after repeated usage or when the patient moves significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure application effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to patient movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The garment divides the pressure application function into multiple discrete protrusions distributed across the garment surface, each capable of independent deformation. This segmentation allows the pressure points to adapt to body contours and movements while maintaining overall compression effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are made from elastic material that can dynamically deform and rebound, allowing them to adapt to patient movement and maintain consistent pressure application throughout the garment's wear life, unlike rigid structures that lose effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If dots and protrusions are used to apply pressure, then pressure can be applied to the user's body, but they are not of conducive material and not shaped and sized to be completely effective for post-surgical recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure application effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial and shape configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions feature specific local characteristics including rounded tips to distribute pressure evenly, controlled dimensions (width 1-2mm, height 0.2-0.5mm) for optimal pressure distribution, and elastic material composition that provides both comfort and therapeutic effectiveness for post-surgical applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The garment utilizes composite elastic materials that combine the properties needed for pressure application with comfort and adaptability, creating protrusions that are both effective for therapy and manufacturable through standard processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If thermal packs are added to the garment, then cooling therapy can be provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling therapy capabilityVSAvoidgarment structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pockets are integrated into the existing garment structure, allowing the same garment to provide both mechanical compression through protrusions and thermal therapy through pocket-containing thermal packs, achieving multiple therapeutic functions without requiring separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal packs are nested within pockets that are themselves integrated into the garment layers, creating a compact multi-functional structure where the thermal therapy component is contained within the compression garment without adding external bulk or complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 garment effectively reduces post-surgical recovery time by decreasing swelling, increasing blood flow and circulation, aiding muscle recovery, and reducing the likelihood of blood clotting, while providing comfortable and effective pressure and cooling therapy.

Implementation Method 1

pockets to receive a thermal pack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

unitary garment body with a front abdominal portion and a rear back portion, each made of an elastic-based polymer material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12324763B2Post-surgical compression garment

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 GOLDBERG PAUL

AI summary

A unitary garment body having a front abdominal portion interposed between two arm openings and the two leg openings of the garment, of an elastic-based polymer material, with an inner surface, defining at least one pocket interposed between outer and inner surfaces of the front abdominal portion and configured to enclose and define a pocket cavity shaped and sized to receive a thermal pack, and with a plurality of front pressure protrusions on the pocket and each projecting inwardly from the inner surface toward the abdomen cavity, disposed in a tightly spaced configuration, each having a rounded tip, and each having a width ranging from 1-2 mm and a height relative to the inner surface of the front abdominal portion ranging from 0.2-0.5 mm and having a rear back portion interposed also of an elastic-based polymer material opposing the front abdominal portion.