Flat-knit Compression Garment with Concave Groin Indentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression garments with seams in the groin area fail to fit tightly over concave body shapes, leading to cavity formation and reduced comfort due to constrictions and friction, which can result in edema in conditions like lipedema and lymphedema.
Innovation Solution
A flatknitted compression garment with a concave indentation that adapts to concave body shapes, reducing volume and ensuring a snug fit without seams, utilizing a varying number of stitches per row to create an inward curvature, thereby preventing cavity formation and enhancing comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a horizontal seam is run in the groin area to counteract cavity formation, then cavity formation is reduced, but wearing comfort is reduced due to constrictions and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic horizontal seam from the groin area entirely. Instead of using a seam to address cavity formation, the garment relies on the elastic properties of the knitted fabric itself to conform to the body's concave shape, thereby eliminating both the cavity formation issue and the discomfort caused by seams.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameter of the garment by introducing a concave indentation in the groin area with a reduced number of stitches. This geometric modification allows the fabric to better adapt to the body's contour without requiring additional seams or structural elements that would compromise comfort.
2Strength
If the compression garment is made with high material stiffness to provide firm support, then compressive effect is improved, but adaptability to concave body shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different structural qualities to different regions of the garment. The groin area features a concave indentation with reduced stitches to provide local adaptability to concave body shapes, while the rest of the garment maintains its standard knitted structure to provide overall compressive support. This localized modification allows the garment to simultaneously achieve both firm compression and excellent fit in critical areas.
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 concave indentation ensures a tight, comfortable fit that prevents edema formation by eliminating cavities and reducing friction, while maintaining the compressive effect, thus providing effective medical treatment for lipedema, lymphedema, and phlebedema.
Implementation Method 1
The material stiffness (=Stiffness) describes the increase in pressure that results from 1 cm of additional stretching of the compression garment. Material stiffness is therefore inversely related to extensibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flatknitted compression garment comprising a knitted fabric with at least one indentation. The at least one indentation comprises a concave indentation (21) which is designed in such a way that, when used as intended, the knitted fabric forms an inwardly curved surface when viewed from a wearer of the compression garment. The concave indentation (21) is designed in particular such that the knitted fabric, when used as intended, lies against a concave body shape of the wearer and thus has a medical effectiveness, e.g. in the treatment of lipedema, lymphedema and/or phlebedema, while at the same time being very comfortable to wear.