Heat-Moldable Splint With Negative Pressure Swelling Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swelling caused by trauma or pathologies such as lymphedema leads to discomfort, limited range of motion, and impedes medical treatment, requiring a system that can reduce swelling through decompression therapy and immobilization.
Innovation Solution
A splint with flexible tubes formed of different thermoplastic polymers, including a heat-moldable component that transitions from conformable to rigid states, combined with a negative pressure dressing for controlled swelling reduction and immobilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid splint is used for immobilization, then the immobilization effectiveness is improved, but the ability to conform to the patient's anatomy and comfort is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The splint utilizes thermoplastic material that changes its physical properties (from rigid to conformable) through temperature parameter changes. When heated, the material becomes soft and moldable to conform to the patient's anatomy; when cooled, it returns to a rigid state for effective immobilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint is constructed from composite materials including thermoplastic polymers with different softening points, allowing the material to exhibit both conformable and rigid characteristics. The composite structure enables phase transition between soft moldable state and hard immobilizing state.
2Ease of operation
If a custom-fitted rigid splint is used, then the conformability and comfort are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is pre-formed as a rigid structure that can be temporarily softened through heating. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for complex custom manufacturing, while the heating step enables easy adaptation to the patient's anatomy without requiring sophisticated manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
By using temperature parameter changes to transition the material between rigid and conformable states, the system simplifies the manufacturing process. The splint can be mass-produced in a standard rigid form and then easily adapted to individual patients through simple heating, avoiding complex custom fabrication.
3Reliability
If traditional immobilization methods are used, then the immobilization is achieved, but the swelling reduction and blood perfusion are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The splint uses a flexible thermoplastic shell that can be molded to the patient's body contours. This flexible design allows for better distribution of pressure and improved blood flow compared to rigid traditional splints, while still providing effective immobilization when in the hardened state.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic material's ability to change physical state allows the splint to be applied in a conformable state that accommodates body contours and maintains circulation, then set in a rigid state for immobilization. This parameter change enables both swelling reduction through proper fit and effective immobilization.
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 system effectively reduces swelling and facilitates healing by increasing blood perfusion and lymphatic flow, allowing for improved access to underlying tissue and reduced recovery time.
Implementation Method 1
a second material positioned in the flexible tubes and having a lower softening or melting point than the first material. The web is conformable when the second material is above a softening point of the second material, and the web is rigid when the second material is below the softening point of the second material.
Implementation Method 2
a second material positioned in the flexible tubes and having a lower softening or melting point than the first material
Implementation Method 3
a negative pressure dressing configured to define a sealed volume between a patient's skin and the negative pressure dressing when applied to the patient
Implementation Method 4
a pump configured to be placed in pneumatic communication with the negative pressure dressing and operable to displace air from the sealed volume
Data Source
AI summary
A kit (1500) for negative pressure and immobilization therapy includes a negative pressure dressing (100) configured to define a sealed volume between a patient's skin and the negative pressure dressing when applied to the patient, a pump (200) configured to be placed in pneumatic communication with the negative pressure dressing and operable to displace air from the sealed volume, and a heat-moldable splint (900). The heat-moldable splint includes a plurality of flexible tubes formed of a first material and coupled together to form a web and a second material positioned in the flexible tubes and having a lower softening or melting point than the first material.