Friction-Reducing Compression Stocking Aid for Ease of Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compression stockings are difficult to put on due to high friction between the stocking and the foot, especially for individuals with reduced strength or flexibility, and the foot's irregular shape and angle with the leg complicate the process.
Innovation Solution
A friction-reducing compression stocking aid with an elongated body made of flexible materials like plastic, cardboard, or paper, featuring a heel opening and a protruding pull tab to facilitate easy placement and removal of the stocking, reducing friction and accommodating the foot's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If compression stocking is made strongly elastic to provide compression therapy, then compression force is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a donning aid as an intermediary device between the user and the compression stocking. This aid includes a low-friction surface that contacts the stocking, allowing the stocking to be slipped over the foot with reduced friction. The aid acts as a mediator that transfers the stocking from the user's hand to the foot without requiring the user to directly manipulate the elastic stocking material, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining strong elasticity and improving ease of placement.
2Reliability
If compression stocking is made tightly fitted to provide effective compression, then compression effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased friction with foot
Solution Approach 1:
The donning aid serves as an intermediary that temporarily replaces direct contact between the stocking and the foot during the donning process. The aid's low-friction surface allows the stocking to slide over it easily, reducing the friction that would otherwise occur between the tight-fitting stocking and the foot. Once the stocking is in place, the aid is removed, and the stocking maintains its tight fit for effective compression therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter at the interface during the donning process. By introducing a surface with deliberately low friction coefficients, the system allows easy movement of the stocking during placement. After placement, the original high-friction interface between stocking and foot is restored to ensure effective compression. This temporal parameter change resolves the contradiction between tight fit and ease of placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compression stocking is designed to cover irregular foot shape including heel protrusion, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to difficulty in deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The donning aid acts as an intermediary that simplifies the deployment process for complex foot geometries. It includes specific features such as a heel opening that accommodates the heel protrusion, and a pull tab that extends beyond the foot to facilitate removal. These features allow the aid to adapt to the irregular foot shape while maintaining simple deployment and removal procedures, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The donning aid is segmented into functional regions: a main body that covers the foot, a heel opening for heel accommodation, and a pull tab for removal. This segmentation allows each part to address specific geometric challenges of the foot while keeping the overall device simple. The heel opening specifically addresses the heel protrusion issue, and the pull tab simplifies the removal process, resolving the complexity issue.
4Reliability
If compression stocking requires substantial pulling effort to extend around heel, then compression coverage is improved, but loss of energy increases due to high pulling effort
Solution Approach 1:
The donning aid serves as an energy-saving intermediary by providing a low-friction path for the stocking to slide over the foot. This reduces the pulling effort required to extend the stocking around the heel and up the leg. The aid temporarily bears the mechanical work of overcoming friction, allowing the user to apply less force. After the stocking is in place, the aid is removed, and the compression coverage is maintained without the need for continued high pulling effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A friction-reducing compression stocking aid which facilitates placement of a compression stocking on a wearer's foot by reducing friction between the stocking and the foot includes a generally elongated stocking aid body sized and shaped to accommodate a foot of a wearer. A foot opening may be provided in a rear end of the stocking aid body. The foot opening may be sized and configured to receive the foot of the wearer. A pull tab or other protruding portion may extend forwardly from the stocking aid body to facilitate removal of the compression stocking aid from the foot of the wearer after use.