Flexible Pressure Chamber for Limb Therapy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure therapy devices are cumbersome, difficult to customize, and require trained professionals for use, often causing discomfort and potential harm due to improper fitting and pressure points, especially for patients with limited mobility or fragile skin.
Innovation Solution
A pressure therapy device with a streamlined pressure chamber, inflatable padding, and adjustable sealing system that allows for easy donning and fitting without assistance, featuring a wide opening, angled neck, and modular components for additional treatments, ensuring comfortable and safe application of pressure therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure chamber is used to apply pressure therapy, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible pressure chamber that can be donned like a stocking or sleeve, eliminating the need for rigid chambers and complex sealing mechanisms. The flexible material naturally conforms to the limb shape, providing reliable pressure control while dramatically simplifying the device structure and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure chamber is divided into multiple inflatable segments or compartments along the limb. Each segment can be independently inflated to provide graduated pressure therapy, improving pressure control precision while keeping each individual segment simple in structure.
2Reliability
If a pressure chamber with sealing system is used, then pressure therapy effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult donning
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pressure chamber can be easily rolled up or folded for donning, similar to putting on a stocking. The flexibility eliminates the struggle with rigid chambers and complex sealing systems, making the device as easy to don as regular compression garments while maintaining effective pressure therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure chamber is pre-configured with integrated sealing edges and inflatable structures that automatically seal around the limb once donned. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex sealing operations during donning, improving ease of use while ensuring effective pressure containment.
3Reliability
If negative pressure is applied in known devices, then pressure therapy is achieved, but harmful factors increase due to pressure points and skin damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pressure chamber material distributes pressure evenly across the limb surface, eliminating pressure points that occur with rigid chambers. The conformability of the flexible material ensures uniform pressure application, providing effective therapy while preventing skin damage, contusions, and necrosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible chamber material inherently provides cushioning and protection between the pressure source and the patient's skin. This built-in cushioning layer prevents direct contact between rigid components and fragile skin, especially important for patients with neuropathy or limited skin blood flow.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If custom-fitted padding structures are used, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pressure chamber itself serves as the protective interface with the patient's limb, eliminating the need for separate custom-fitted padding structures. The material's inherent flexibility and conformability provide comfort and safety without adding device complexity or requiring custom fitting procedures.
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 device provides a comfortable, safe, and effective pressure therapy experience, improving blood flow and wound healing without the need for customization or professional assistance, while minimizing the risk of pressure points and skin damage.
Implementation Method 1
The pump unit is connected to the pressure chamber and is configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
A seal is configured to surround the opening of the pressure chamber and the inflatable padding
Implementation Method 3
An inflatable padding is configured to inflate and close the opening of the pressure chamber about the limb
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure therapy device includes a pressure chamber, an inflatable padding, a seal, and a positioning mechanism. The pressure chamber has an opening arranged for admitting the inflatable padding and a limb of a user. The inflatable padding is inflatable to enclose and fix the limb in position. The seal covers the opening, including the inflatable padding and the limb to seal the pressure chamber from ambient atmospheric pressure. A pump unit is provided to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within the pressure chamber and includes a first valve system and a piston with safety release features for preventing unsafe pressure levels.