Sensor Apparatus for Compression Garment Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compression garments often fail to provide the required predetermined compression due to varying body shapes and sizes, leading to inconsistent pressure application, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A sensor apparatus attached to the outer surface of compression garments, comprising a sensor device with mounting points to sense displacement, which estimates pressure exerted on the wearer without causing additional expansion or distortion, allowing for accurate pressure measurement and easy attachment/detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is placed between the compression garment and the wearer's skin to measure pressure, then pressure measurement is possible, but the sensor causes additional expansion or distortion of the compression garment leading to inaccurate pressure indications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the compression garment itself as an intermediary element. Instead of placing the sensor directly between the garment and skin, the sensor is attached to the outer surface of the garment, using the garment's outer surface as a mounting platform. This eliminates the sensor-induced distortion problem while maintaining measurement capability through displacement sensing of the garment's outer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical pressure contact sensing with optical or electromagnetic displacement sensing. The sensor device detects displacement of the garment's outer surface using non-contact or minimal-contact methods, substituting the need for direct mechanical pressure transmission through the sensor to the skin.
2Ease of manufacture
If readymade compression garments are used to treat different body parts, then manufacturing and distribution is simplified, but the garments do not always provide the required predetermined compression due to varying body shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors continuously monitor the actual compression pressure applied by the garment, and this information is transmitted to a remote device or controller. This allows real-time verification and adjustment of compression levels, ensuring that readymade garments provide the intended therapeutic pressure despite variations in body geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic monitoring and adjustment of compression parameters (pressure, tension, displacement) to account for variations in body shapes and sizes. By measuring actual garment deformation and translating it to pressure values, the system adapts the compression delivery to match individual patient anatomy while using standard garment sizes.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are attached to the compression garment to improve measurement accuracy, then pressure distribution can be better assessed, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compression garment into multiple sensing zones with discrete sensor locations. Each sensor monitors pressure at a specific anatomical location, allowing assessment of pressure distribution across different body regions. This segmented approach provides comprehensive measurement data while keeping individual sensor units simple and manageable.
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 solution enables precise measurement of pressure exerted by compression garments, reducing wearer discomfort and providing accurate data for clinical use, while being reusable and economical by allowing multiple uses on different garments.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor device is arranged to sense displacement between the first and second mounting points
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A sensor apparatus includes a sensor device (2), for attaching to an outer surface of a compression garment (1), and a controller. The sensor device (2) comprises a first mounting point (70), attached to a first point on the garment (1), and a second mounting point (45), attached to a second point on the garment (1). The sensor device (2) senses displacement between the first (70) and second mounting points (45). The controller processes information representative of the sensed displacement to estimate a pressure exerted by the compression garment (1) on a wearer of the garment (1).