Heated Compression Therapy System for DVT Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DVT therapy systems are inefficient and cumbersome, as they either waste heat or interfere with surgical access due to large size, and traditional heat transfer methods are inefficient, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and prolonging recovery times during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a flexible heating pad or air-activated heat pack with a compression bladder, where the heating pad is restrained by a disposable sheet and the air-activated heat pack is integrated within the bladder, using a feedback loop to regulate temperature and power source to maintain safe surface temperatures, eliminating intermediate heat transfer mediums and electrical risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a fluid filled bladder is used for compression therapy, then compression can be applied to the calf, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced due to multiple intermediate transfer steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate fluid heat transfer medium from the system. Instead of using heated fluid that must transfer heat through multiple interfaces (fluid to bladder wall, bladder wall to skin), the invention places a flexible heating pad directly against the skin, eliminating the fluid intermediary and its associated heat transfer losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a disposable adhesive sheet as a new intermediary between the heating pad and skin. This thin adhesive layer provides thermal contact while allowing the heating pad to be reused and the sheet to be discarded after single use, solving both heat transfer efficiency and hygiene concerns.
2Temperature
If air activated heat packs are used within the bladder, then heat can be delivered through the compression system, but the system becomes cumbersome and interferes with surgical access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the therapy system into separate functional components: a reusable compression pump unit and a disposable calf garment containing the heating element. This segmentation allows the bulky compression mechanism to be separated from the patient's body, improving surgical access while maintaining compression therapy capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable calf garment and adhesive sheet that are discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures, reduces the size of reusable components, and allows the main compression device to be more compact and less intrusive during surgery.
3Temperature
If conventional heating systems are used, then heat can be delivered to maintain body temperature, but heat is wasted and room temperature increases detrimentally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating locally directly to the patient's skin surface at the calf region, rather than using ambient air heating that distributes heat throughout the entire operating room. This localized approach delivers heat precisely where needed for DVT prevention while minimizing energy waste and room temperature increase.
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 solution provides efficient and safe heat delivery, reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and shortening recovery times by maintaining body temperature during surgery, while being cost-effective and minimizing interference with surgical access.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically energized flexible heating pad is used. The flexible pad is electrically heated
Implementation Method 2
Air-activated heat packs are known in the art. A popular variety utilizes iron, water, cellulose, vermiculite, activated carbon, and salt... Exposure to the pressurized air causes the heat pack to heat up
Implementation Method 3
The temperature of the heating pad is regulated by a feedback loop which incorporates a temperature probe placed against the patient's leg
Data Source
AI summary
A calf garment assembly having, a calf garment having an internal chamber and being substantially airtight and being in fluid communication with a pressurized air source, and a heating element working in conjunction with the calf garment to provide heated DVT therapy.