Multi-Chamber Compression Therapy Device with Independent Cell Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression therapy devices are limited in their ability to provide customizable and effective treatment for various edematous conditions such as lymphedema and venous insufficiency, as they often rely on a single protocol that may not be suitable for all pathologies, and lack advanced control systems to optimize fluid movement and pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A compression therapy device with a multi-chamber appliance and a computing device that controls a network of independently inflatable cells, allowing for customizable protocols that include sequential inflation, deflation, and pressure maintenance, enabling tailored treatment by cycling cells between inflated and deflated states to manage fluid accumulation effectively across different body areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single compression therapy protocol is used for all conditions, then the device is simple to operate, but it cannot effectively treat various edematous conditions such as lymphedema and venous insufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The compression appliance is divided into multiple independently controllable cells arranged in sequential order. Each cell can be inflated, deflated, or maintained at pressure independently through individually controlled valves, allowing different regions to receive different compression protocols simultaneously. This segmentation enables customization for different pathologies without requiring entirely different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the state of each cell (inflated, deflated, or pressure maintained) based on the selected therapy protocol and real-time conditions. The computing device coordinates multiple valves to create dynamic compression patterns that adapt to different medical conditions, transforming a static single-protocol device into a dynamic multi-protocol system.
2Productivity
If all cells are inflated and deflated in concert, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot optimize fluid movement for different pathologies
Solution Approach 1:
The compression appliance is divided into multiple independently controllable cells arranged in sequential order. Each cell can be inflated, deflated, or maintained at pressure independently through individually controlled valves, allowing different regions to receive different compression patterns simultaneously. This enables optimized fluid movement for different pathologies without requiring entirely different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cells can be placed in different states (inflated, deflated, or pressure maintained) to create localized compression patterns. The proximal cell can be cycled while distal cells remain inflated, or vice versa, allowing tailored treatment for specific conditions such as lymphedema versus venous insufficiency, optimizing fluid movement efficiency for each pathology.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a proximal cell is added to cycle between inflated and deflated states while other cells remain inflated, then treatment effectiveness for various conditions is improved, but the valve control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The compression appliance is divided into multiple independently controllable cells, each with its own valve. This segmentation allows the proximal cell to be controlled independently from distal cells, enabling protocols where the proximal cell cycles between inflated and deflated states while distal cells remain inflated. This independent control capability provides the adaptability needed for different pathologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple cells in multiple states simultaneously. The same valve control mechanism can inflate, deflate, or maintain pressure in any cell, and can coordinate different patterns across different cells. This universal control approach handles the complexity of multi-state operation while providing versatile treatment options for various conditions.
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 device provides enhanced fluid management and pressure distribution, improving venous perfusion and systemic return, and can be tailored to address specific conditions like lymphedema and venous insufficiency, offering a more effective treatment by optimizing the sequence and pressure of cell inflation and deflation.
Implementation Method 1
a source of a pressurized fluid via a source output, a sink for the pressurized fluid via a sink input, and one or more manifolds configured to be in fluid communication with one or more of the source output and the sink input
Implementation Method 2
A valve in the first state may thereby cause inflation of the inflatable cell in fluid communication with the valve, a valve in the second state may thereby cause deflation of the inflatable cell in fluid communication with the valve, and a valve in the third state may thereby cause an inflatable cell in fluid communication with the valve to maintain a fluid pressure
Implementation Method 3
compression therapy appliance configured to be placed in physical communication with at least a portion of a patient, in which the compression therapy appliance comprises a plurality of independently inflatable cells
Implementation Method 4
The pneumatic compression system may further include a plurality of valves, in which each valve has a cell side and a manifold side, so that the manifold side of each of the plurality of valves is in fluid communication with at least one manifold, and the cell side of each of the plurality of valves is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of independently inflatable cells
Data Source
AI summary
A compression therapy device may include a compression therapy appliance comprising a number of independently inflatable cells and a controller to control a flow of a pressurizing fluid into and out of each cell via a number of valves. The controller may direct the valves to inflate or deflate each cell in a sequence according to one or more compression therapy protocols. The compression therapy appliance may be placed on a portion of a patient's body to provide compression therapy according to one or more of the compression therapy protocols. The portion of the patient's body in contact with the compression therapy appliance may include a proximal end and a distal end. A compression therapy protocol may include alternating inflation and deflation steps of one or more cells placed in contact with the proximal end of the patient's body, thereby improving fluid flow into the proximal end of the patient.