Flexible Therapeutic Support with Spaced Protruberances for Lymphoedema
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for lymphoedema, such as compression bandaging and lymphatic massaging, are limited in effectiveness and unsuitable for all cases, particularly for the lower torso and genital area, and do not provide continuous relief, leading to ongoing challenges in managing the condition.
Innovation Solution
A flexible support with spaced protruberances that apply localized pressure to affected areas, allowing for the prophylaxis or treatment of fluid accumulation, is designed to be worn by the subject, providing gentle yet firm pressure to aid lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression bandaging is used to treat lymphoedema, then fluid accumulation is reduced, but the treatment is bulky and restricts movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin, flexible film structure with integrated suction chambers instead of bulky compression bandages. The film conformally attaches to the skin surface, providing continuous negative pressure therapy while maintaining patient mobility and comfort. This resolves the contradiction by delivering effective fluid removal through a minimalistic, flexible design rather than rigid or bulky compression materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles through vacuum suction chambers that create negative pressure to actively draw out accumulated lymph fluid. This pneumatic mechanism provides more effective and controllable fluid removal compared to passive compression, while the thin-film implementation avoids the bulkiness of traditional compression bandaging, thereby improving both effectiveness and ease of movement.
2Reliability
If compression pressure is increased to improve fluid drainage, then lymphatic vessels become overly compressed and blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs controlled negative pressure (suction) rather than high positive compression to remove fluid. The vacuum chambers create a gentle pulling force on the fluid without exerting excessive compressive force on the lymphatic vessels themselves, thus avoiding vessel collapse and blockage while maintaining effective fluid drainage. This pneumatic approach resolves the contradiction between drainage effectiveness and vessel protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film suction device applies localized negative pressure specifically to fluid accumulation areas through discrete suction chambers, rather than applying uniform high compression across the entire limb. This localized approach effectively removes fluid from problem areas while minimizing compressive forces on healthy lymphatic vessels, preventing blockage while maintaining drainage effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional compression garments are used, then some fluid pressure is applied, but they provide little assistance to lymphoedema of the lower torso and genital area
Solution Approach 1:
The thin-film suction device is designed as a universal treatment system that can be adapted to various body contours and areas, including the lower torso and genital regions where conventional compression garments fail. The flexible film conformally attaches to different anatomical surfaces, and the suction chambers can be positioned to target specific fluid accumulation zones, providing effective treatment across multiple body areas that were previously difficult to treat.
4Reliability
If lymphatic massaging is performed to drain accumulated lymph, then fluid movement is promoted, but specialized training is required and it is time intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum suction device performs the lymphatic drainage function automatically without requiring the patient to perform manual massaging techniques. The device self-regulates the suction process, eliminating the need for specialized training in lymphatic massage techniques and reducing the time investment required. The mechanical suction system continuously or periodically removes fluid without human intervention, resolving the contradiction between effective drainage and treatment complexity.
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 support effectively reduces fluid accumulation and associated swelling by promoting lymphatic drainage, offering continuous relief without the need for specialized training and being suitable for use in various climates, making it a more effective alternative to conventional treatments.
Implementation Method 1
the support has a plurality of protruberances for respectively applying localised pressure to an area of the subject's body with, or subject to, accumulation of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible therapeutic support (32, 35, 40, 48, 54) for the prophylaxis or treatment of the accumulation of a fluid in the body of a subject. The therapeutic support has a plurality of protruberances (14) for respectively applying localised pressure to an area of the subject's body with, or subject to, accumulation of the fluid, the support being configured to be worn by the subject over the area and press the protruberances (14) against the body of the subject, and the protruberances being spaced apart from one another about the face (12) of the support. There are also provided methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of the accumulation of a fluid in the subject's body. The accumulated fluid can, for instance, be lymphoedema or other form of oedema.