Inflatable Compression Brace With Integrated Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional medical braces are cumbersome to wear and adjust, often leading to inappropriate pressure on joints, which can cause discomfort and poor blood circulation. Additionally, the need for external inflation devices in inflatable braces complicates pressure adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable compression brace with integrated hot and cold compresses, featuring a built-in inflate-and-deflate valve that allows for convenient adjustment of air pressure directly on the brace, eliminating the need for external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external inflation device is used to inflate the airbag, then the brace can achieve compression and immobilization, but the device complexity increases and pressure adjustment becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the inflation function directly into the brace structure by incorporating an inflation bulb and valve system within the brace body itself. This merging of the inflation device with the brace eliminates the need for separate external equipment, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the compression and immobilization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is designed to be self-inflating through the integrated inflation bulb that can be manually operated by the user. This self-service mechanism allows the user to inflate and deflate the airbag without requiring external assistance or additional equipment, making the system more independent and easier to use.
2Device complexity
If traditional fabric braces are used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated wrapping and adjustment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using an inflatable airbag system within the brace structure. This allows the brace to be inflated to the desired pressure level through the integrated valve system, providing easy and precise adjustment of compression force without the need for complex manual wrapping and layering of fabric materials.
3Reliability
If pressure is increased to improve compression effectiveness, then the immobilization capability improves, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to poor blood circulation and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The brace incorporates a dynamic adjustment system with an integrated inflation and deflation valve that allows the user to easily modify the internal pressure. This dynamic capability enables the user to optimize the compression level to achieve effective immobilization while avoiding excessive pressure that would cause discomfort or impair blood circulation, thus balancing therapeutic effectiveness with user comfort.
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 inflatable compression brace effectively immobilizes and compresses joints, preventing swelling and secondary injuries, while allowing users to easily adjust pressure for comfort, enhancing convenience and therapeutic effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable airbag can compress and immobilize the target area, preventing the target area from swelling and secondary injuries
Implementation Method 2
the user simply presses the first pressing component to adjust the air pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
An inflatable compression brace with hot and cold compresses has a brace body (1), an air bag (3), and an inflate-and-deflate valve (4). The brace body wraps around joints and muscles. The air bag is formed within the brace body. The inflate-and-deflate valve is mounted on the brace body and connected to the air bag. The inflate-and-deflate valve can optionally inflate or deflate the air bag. Thereby the inflated air bag can compress and immobilize the targeted area. Additionally, when inappropriate pressure is applied to the target area, the inflate-and-deflate valve is capable of adjusting the air pressure.