Modular Therapeutic Fluid Apparatus With Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water therapy units require specialized configuration and integration with the environment, often necessitating permanent alterations, are bulky, and costly, making them impractical for relocation and use in rental properties or environments where modifications are restricted.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic fluid apparatus with a back and seat portion, featuring multiple fluid outlets, a pump system, and adjustable spacers, allowing for targeted fluid delivery without permanent alteration of the environment, and enabling portability and cost-effective operation by recirculating fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current water therapy units are integrated with the environment, then therapeutic function is achieved, but permanent alterations to the environment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The water therapy unit is divided into separate modular components including a backrest module with fluid outlets, a seat module, and a pump system. This segmentation allows the unit to be assembled and disassembled without permanent installation, eliminating environmental damage while maintaining therapeutic functionality through targeted fluid delivery at multiple anatomical zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a removable frame structure and adjustable positioning mechanisms as intermediary elements between the therapy unit and the user's body. These intermediaries enable the unit to be positioned and adjusted without permanent modification to either the environment or the user's space, while still achieving effective fluid therapy delivery.
2Measurement precision
If water therapy units are designed for specialized configuration, then targeted fluid delivery is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unit incorporates adjustable spacers and repositionable fluid outlets that can be dynamically configured to match different user anatomies and therapy requirements. This dynamic adjustability provides targeted fluid delivery to specific body zones without requiring complex specialized configuration, as users can easily reposition components themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal platform with multiple fluid outlets distributed across different zones (upper back, lower back, shoulders, seat) that can serve various therapeutic needs. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for specialized single-purpose units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise targeted delivery through selective outlet activation.
3Reliability
If water therapy units are installed permanently, then therapeutic effectiveness is maintained, but portability and relocation capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The therapy unit is segmented into portable modular components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each module maintains its therapeutic function independently, allowing the system to be relocated without compromising effectiveness. The modular design enables the unit to adapt to different locations and users while preserving the integrity of the fluid therapy delivery mechanism.
4Power
If water therapy units use large amounts of water, then fluid flow and pressure are maintained, but operational cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recirculation system where water that flows through the fluid outlets and drains away is collected and pumped back through the system. This recovery mechanism maintains continuous high-volume fluid flow and pressure for effective therapy while dramatically reducing net water consumption, as the same water is reused multiple times throughout the therapy session.
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 apparatus provides effective and portable water therapy without damaging the environment, allowing for relocation and reducing costs by recirculating water, thus addressing the limitations of existing units.
Implementation Method 1
Water therapy that utilizes targeted pressurized spraying of water along particular body parts of a user
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid therapy, for example including spray water at along a user's body, have been found to provide various advantages both as a medical therapeutic technique for treating various physical ailments as well as to improve comfort of a user generally. Embodiments provide therapeutic fluid apparatus(es) and methods of using said therapeutic fluid apparatus(es). One example therapeutic fluid apparatus includes fluid outlets at particular positions of the apparatus to enable spraying of a fluid drawn from the environment around the apparatus at particular points along a user. Some embodiment therapeutic fluid apparatus(es) are removable from the environment(s) from which they draw fluid for use, such that the therapeutic fluid apparatus(es) can be positioned within such environment(s) without permanently altering the environment and/or otherwise affixing the therapeutic fluid apparatus within the environment. Some such therapeutic fluid apparatus(es) are similarly constructed of lightweight materials to facilitate portability of the therapeutic fluid apparatus(es).