Modular Physio Tape with Removable Thermal Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physio tapes lack a cost-effective modular design with removable and interchangeable thermal heating and cooling elements, which limits their versatility and efficiency in providing thermal support.
Innovation Solution
A modular kinesiology tape with a flexible adhesive layer and a chamber for retaining removable packets of heating or cooling material, featuring slits for secure insertion and removal, and optional battery circuits for active temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physio tape is designed with fixed thermal properties, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but versatility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tape is divided into modular components: a reusable base layer with adhesive and a separate interchangeable thermal packet. This segmentation allows the thermal properties to be changed by swapping packets while keeping the base layer, thereby increasing versatility without permanently complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base layer is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of thermal packets (heating or cooling) through standardized retention mechanisms. This multi-functionality enables a single tape design to serve various thermal therapy needs by simply changing the packet type.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermal elements are integrated permanently into the tape, then thermal support is more stable, but cost increases and replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal elements are extracted from the base layer and made into separate, removable packets. This extraction allows the thermal packets to be easily replaced or interchanged while keeping the base layer intact, reducing manufacturing costs for the base layer and enabling flexible thermal element replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows used or depleted thermal packets to be discarded and replaced with fresh ones, while the valuable base layer with adhesive is recovered and reused. This approach reduces overall manufacturing costs by separating disposable thermal elements from reusable structural components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tape structure is made complex to accommodate removable thermal packets, then thermal interchangeability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanisms (such as adhesive strips, pockets, or snap-fits) are pre-configured in the base layer to facilitate easy packet insertion and removal. This preliminary preparation of the retention structure eliminates the need for complex assembly operations during use, maintaining user convenience while enabling packet interchangeability.
4Device complexity
If conventional non-modular physio tape is used, then device complexity is lower, but thermal support versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tape transitions from a static, fixed thermal property design to a dynamic system where thermal properties can be changed on demand by swapping packets. This dynamic capability allows the tape to adapt to different therapeutic needs without requiring a completely different tape construction for each thermal type.
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
Enables cost-effective, interchangeable thermal support with removable packets that can be easily inserted or removed without detaching the tape from the skin, enhancing user convenience and thermal efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The material is flexible and includes an adhesive for securing the layer to the skin
Implementation Method 2
a chamber for retention and release of a removable packet of cooling or heating material
Data Source
AI summary
A modular kinesiology or physio tape adapted to produce heating or cooling. The tape includes a layer of material having a chamber for retention and release of a removable packet of cooling or heating material and a mechanism for securing the layer directly onto skin of a user. The removable packet of cooling or heating material has dimensions optimized for manual insertion into and removal from the chamber. Preferably, the material is flexible and includes an adhesive for securing the layer to the skin. The material has a first surface for contacting skin, a second surface parallel to the first surface for receiving and retaining the removable packet and an edge between the first and second surfaces. In one embodiment, multiple slits are provided in the second surface having dimensions adapted to receive and retain said packet. In yet another embodiment, a heating packet is implemented with a button/coin type battery circuit with an optional mechanism for controlling the generation of heat thereby.