Temporally-Controlled Elasticity Substrate for Dynamic Body Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for supporting or immobilizing injured body parts often involve fixed substrates that are difficult to don/doff, uncomfortable, and ill-fitting, leading to issues such as excessive movement causing tissue damage and loss of pressure over time.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with temporally-controlled elasticity that transitions between two states, allowing for dynamic pressure application and reduction, which can be activated by natural body movements or external stimuli, and features non-permanent connectors to minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed substrates such as strapping and bandages are used to support body parts, then the body part is immobilized and supported, but the substrate becomes difficult to don/doff and causes tissue damage due to excessive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate incorporates elastic elements that allow it to dynamically adapt between a relaxed state for easy application and a compressed state for effective support. The elastic nature enables the substrate to stretch during donning/doffing while maintaining support functionality during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate's mechanical properties change based on its state - it transitions from a more compliant state during application to a more rigid supportive state during use. This parameter change allows the same substrate to fulfill both ease of operation and reliability requirements.
2Reliability
If compression garments are used to manage lymphoedema, then pressure is applied to prevent swelling, but the garments slacken over time requiring re-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate utilizes the periodic natural movements of the body part (such as limb flexion and extension) to automatically maintain compression. During movement, the substrate stretches and recoils, generating periodic compression cycles that prevent swelling without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves itself by using the body's own movements to generate the necessary compression force. The elastic elements store and release energy during natural body motion, automatically maintaining therapeutic pressure without requiring the user to re-tighten the garment.
3Reliability
If fixed attachment points such as sutures are used to secure substrates, then the substrate is firmly attached to the body part, but excessive movement causes tissue tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The elastic elements allow the substrate to move with the body part while maintaining attachment, preventing tissue tearing during excessive movement while keeping the substrate securely attached.
4Force
If heavy-knit fabrics are used for compression garments, then adequate pressure is provided, but the garments become uncomfortable and ill-fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate's mechanical parameters (stiffness, elasticity) are adjusted to provide adequate compression pressure while maintaining comfort. The elastic elements are selected and configured to deliver therapeutic force while allowing sufficient stretch for donning/doffing and adapting to body contours for improved fit.
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 substrate provides sustained and adjustable support and pressure to body parts, reducing the risk of tissue damage and maintaining effective compression over time, while allowing for comfortable and easy application and removal.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate that can be applied to a user's body part having a region of temporally-controlled elasticity that transitions between a first state and a second state when activated, wherein the first state is more relaxed than the second state
Implementation Method 2
Activation of the substrate may include applying an external force to the substrate. The external force may be stored as potential energy, whereby part of the potential energy is converted to a mechanical force (e.g. pressure) that is applied to the body part as the substrate reverts from the second state to the first state.
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate that can be applied to a user's body part having a region of temporally-controlled elasticity that transitions between a first state and a second state when activated, wherein the first state is more relaxed than the second state, and the substrate can at least partially revert from the second state to the first state over an extended time period resulting from the temporally-controlled elasticity of the substrate, and wherein the substrate can apply a treatment/mechanical force to the body part, as the substrate transitions from the second state to the first state.