Elasticized Garment System for Microgravity Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic garments for sensorimotor training, stability, and athletic performance lack versatility and effectiveness, particularly in environments with reduced gravitational forces, and fail to provide adequate support and resistance for muscle tone maintenance and bone density.
Innovation Solution
A system of elasticized garments with unique shapes and configurations, utilizing FABRIFOAM fabric and VELCRO fasteners, allowing for customizable therapeutic configurations to support posture, balance, and muscle training, including the application of topically-applied devices, and accommodating various therapeutic objectives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional therapeutic garments are used, then basic support is provided, but versatility and effectiveness in microgravity environments is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The garment system incorporates adjustable elasticized pieces and strapping mechanisms that can be dynamically reconfigured to provide varying levels of support and resistance. The elasticized fabric with adjustable straps allows the garment to adapt to different body positions and microgravity conditions, maintaining reliability across diverse environmental requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the garment through adjustable elasticization and strapping configurations. By modifying the tension, coverage, and positioning of elasticized pieces, the garment can provide different degrees of support and resistance suitable for both Earth and microgravity environments, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If elasticized garments with adjustable configurations are implemented, then versatility and customizability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into modular elasticized pieces and separate strapping components that can be independently adjusted and reconfigured. This segmentation allows for customizable therapeutic configurations while managing complexity through standardized modular units rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The elasticized fabric and strapping mechanisms serve multiple functions: providing support, enabling adjustment, facilitating reconfiguration, and maintaining comfort. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high versatility and customizability.
3Ease of operation
If foam-lined fabric is used to provide stability and ventilation, then comfort and skin protection are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The garment uses composite construction combining elasticized fabric with foam lining in a single integrated material. This composite approach provides both the stability and ventilation benefits in one component, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to assembling separate fabric and lining layers, while maintaining comfort and skin protection.
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 system provides a flexible and effective tool for medical and veterinary therapists, enhancing muscle tone, bone density, and athletic performance by offering adjustable support and resistance, suitable for use in microgravity environments and dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
elasticized fabric to make optimum use of the variance in caliber of stiffness comparing the warp and weave in the fabric
Implementation Method 2
under which is a low-(or non-) slip inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for donning a therapeutic garment system on a mammalian body, whereby the garments are adapted for donning and releasably securing in a close-fitting fashion so that a plurality of elasticized pieces may be releasably applied, utilizing fasteners, against an outwardly facing surface of at least one—and more often two—of the garments in an operative therapeutic configuration. At least one elasticized garment is included for donning around an area of a torso such as the upper-torso, lower-torso, or full-torso area; a second elasticized garment is included for donning and releasably securing in a close-fitting fashion around a portion of the body, generally other than that around which the first garment will be (or has been) donned. In addition to an outwardly facing surface adapted for accepting releasable fasteners, each garment has an under-layer with an inwardly facing surface to resist slippage. A wide variety of operative therapeutic configurations are available to one donning garment system components, including those that address generally targeted objectives.