Foot Wrap Inflatable Bladder Compression Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foot wraps fail to provide maximum compression of the venous plexus vein with each inflation of the bladder, leading to inefficient blood circulation enhancement.

Innovation Solution

A foot wrap design featuring a non-stretchable binding and a stretchable panel that restricts bladder expansion in one direction while allowing expansion towards the foot, combined with a rotatable bladder for optimized pressure application on the venous plexus vein.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the bladder is allowed to expand freely in all directions, then the bladder can inflate easily with lower air pressure, but the compression force is not concentrated on the venous plexus vein

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression force on venous plexus veinVSAvoidair pressure required for inflation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The binding is made non-stretchable in the lateral direction to concentrate bladder expansion force vertically onto the venous plexus vein, while the panel remains stretchable to allow necessary expansion. This creates localized directional constraints that focus compression force where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The binding structure is designed with asymmetric stretch properties - non-stretchable in the lateral direction (perpendicular to foot) but allowing vertical expansion toward the venous plexus vein. This asymmetric constraint directs the inflation force asymmetrically toward the target vein.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Force

If the bladder is restricted from expanding laterally by non-stretchable binding, then maximum compression is achieved on the venous plexus vein, but the bladder cannot rotate to accommodate hose positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression force on venous plexus veinVSAvoidbladder rotation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bladder is made rotatable within the wrap assembly, transforming from a fixed orientation to a dynamically adjustable one. This allows the bladder to rotate up to 360 degrees to accommodate different hose positions while the binding maintains lateral restriction for compression force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wrap assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the non-stretchable binding for compression, the stretchable panel for expansion allowance, and the rotatable bladder for positioning adaptability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If the binding is made completely non-stretchable to restrict bladder expansion, then maximum compression force is applied to the venous plexus vein, but the wrap becomes difficult to fit and adjust on different foot sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression force on venous plexus veinVSAvoidease of fitting and adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The binding is made non-stretchable only in the lateral direction where compression force is needed, while other portions of the wrap assembly remain stretchable to accommodate different foot sizes and facilitate easy fitting. This localized non-stretchability maintains compression effectiveness without sacrificing adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wrap assembly incorporates dynamic elements including the rotatable bladder and stretchable panels that allow the structure to adapt to different foot dimensions during fitting, while the non-stretchable binding portions maintain their shape to provide consistent compression force once fitted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances the concentration of inflation force onto the venous plexus vein, improving blood circulation efficiency with reduced air pressure and bladder expansion, while minimizing hose interference through 360-degree rotation capability.

Implementation Method 1

air from a pneumatic pump coupled to the foot wrap must continually travel through a conduit to cyclically inflate and deflate the bladder within the foot wrap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The stretchable panel and the non-stretchable binding central portion define a bladder chamber. The foot wrap also includes an expandable bladder positioned within the bladder chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11357694B2Foot wrap with inflatable bladder

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 ALBAHEALTH LLC

AI summary

A foot wrap (10) has a generally non-stretchable, flexible binding (11), a generally stretchable panel (12) coupled to the binding, an expandable, rotatable bladder (14), and a support pad (16) coupled to the binding opposite the bladder (14). The binding has a central portion (19) straddled by a first wing (21), a second wing (22), and an elastic heel band (23). The bladder measures approximately 3 inches by 3 inches and is designed to increase in height approximately 1½ to 1¾ inches with its inflation.