Garment donner and doffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Applying and removing compression garments is difficult, especially for elderly or physically challenged individuals, leading to unrealized therapeutic benefits due to the compressive forces disrupting bandages or medical equipment and the complexity of donning and doffing processes.
Innovation Solution
A garment donning and doffing system comprising a sleeve with a flexible material and a pole, along with a strap, facilitates the eversion process by supporting and guiding the compression garment, allowing for easier application and removal through a reversible eversion mechanism that minimizes disruption to underlying clothing or medical equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression garments are applied with high compressive forces, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but disruption to underlying bandages or medical equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a donning device as an intermediary tool between the user and the compression garment. This device includes a support structure with a smooth surface that allows the garment to be rolled or pulled over the limb without creating excessive localized compressive forces that would disrupt underlying bandages or medical equipment, while still achieving the required therapeutic compression once properly fitted
2Reliability
If compression garments are made with elastic material for therapeutic support, then medical benefit is improved, but difficulty in donning and doffing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The donning device serves as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between the user and the elastic compression garment. The support structure provides a stable base for rolling or pulling the garment onto the limb, reducing the manual dexterity and strength required. The doffing device similarly mediates the removal process, allowing the elastic garment to be easily pulled off without requiring the user to overcome the full elastic resistance with their hands
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the donning and doffing functions from the compression garment itself by using separate assistive devices. This segmentation allows the garment to maintain its elastic properties for therapeutic effectiveness while the separate devices handle the complex mechanical actions of application and removal, making the overall system easier to operate
3Reliability
If compression garments are applied to ensure proper placement, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but time and complexity of the donning process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The donning device is prepared in advance with the compression garment rolled or positioned on the support structure before application to the limb. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the garment is correctly oriented and positioned, eliminating the need for complex adjustments during the actual donning process and reducing both time and complexity while maintaining proper placement
Data Source
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AI summary
Principles of the present disclosure contemplate use of a flexible sleeve to aid in donning and doffing garments, for example compression garments. The compression garment may be rolled around the sleeve via an eversion process. The compression garment may be unrolled from the sleeve and onto a limb via a reverse eversion process. Likewise, the compression garment may be unrolled from around a limb and onto the sleeve via an eversion process. By utilizing an eversion-based approach, compression garments may be donned and/or doffed more quickly and easily.