Inflatable Limb Support Fastening Arrangement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing limb support fastening arrangements compromise infection control standards and increase the risk of pressure sores and ulcers, as they do not facilitate suitable disinfection and can rub against the patient's skin.
Innovation Solution
A limb support fastening arrangement featuring inflatable chambers with upper and lower chamber walls, where the fasteners are located at the upper side of each portion, preventing them from contacting the skin and allowing for detachable coupling between portions using magnets or other interlocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening arrangements (hook and loop straps, buckles) are used to secure the limb support to the patient, then the support can be firmly attached to the limb, but infection control standards are compromised and the risk of pressure sores increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism is extracted from direct contact with the patient's skin by positioning it on the upper side of the inflatable portion. The fasteners are attached to the outer surface of the inflatable material, which acts as a barrier, eliminating direct skin contact while maintaining secure attachment. This resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful contact function while preserving the attachment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable portion serves as an intermediary barrier between the fastening mechanism and the patient's skin. The inflated air cushion physically separates the fasteners from the skin, preventing direct contact and rubbing. This intermediary structure allows firm attachment to be maintained while eliminating the harmful effects of skin contact.
2Reliability
If fastening arrangements with direct skin contact are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but disinfection and cleaning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism is extracted from the area requiring frequent disinfection (skin contact zone) and repositioned to the upper outer surface of the inflatable portion. This extraction makes the fasteners accessible for easy cleaning and disinfection while maintaining their attachment function, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of maintenance.
3Reliability
If fasteners are positioned to contact the skin for secure fastening, then attachment reliability improves, but pressure sore risk increases due to rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are extracted from the skin contact area and repositioned to the upper surface of the inflatable portion. This removes the source of friction and pressure (the fasteners) from the skin interface, eliminating the mechanism that causes pressure sores while preserving fastening reliability through the inflatable barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflated air cushion acts as a mediator that transmits the fastening force to the limb without requiring direct fastener-skin contact. The intermediary air layer distributes pressure evenly and eliminates localized rubbing points, maintaining attachment reliability while preventing pressure sore formation.
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 effectively secures the limb support without compromising infection control, as the fasteners are kept away from the skin, and allows for easy disinfection and reduced risk of pressure sores and ulcers.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable portion (304, 205) disposed in each of the first and second portions (301, 302)... the lower chamber wall being arranged in use, to extend proximate the limb of the wearer
Implementation Method 2
the first and second fasteners comprise magnets
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of inflatable chambers arranged in fluid communication
Data Source
AI summary
A limb support fastening arrangement for fastening a limb support to a limb of a wearer is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a first and second fastening portion, the first portion comprising an inflatable chamber comprising an upper and lower chamber wall and a first fastener disposed proximate the upper chamber wall, the lower chamber wall being arranged in use, to extend proximate the limb of the wearer. The second portion similarly comprises an inflatable chamber comprising an upper and lower chamber wall and a second fastener disposed proximate the upper chamber wall, the lower chamber wall being arranged in use, to extend proximate the limb of the wearer. The fastener associated with the first portion is arranged to detachably couple with the fastener associated with the second portion to detachably couple the first and second portions together, by positioning the lower chamber wall of one portion over the upper chamber wall of the other portion.