Elastic Venous Compression Orthosis with Variable Core Density
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elastic venous compression orthoses face challenges in reducing the number of size grids to accommodate varying lower limb morphologies, while also needing to be cost-effective and manufactured using inexpensive knitting machines without specific unwinding systems, and improving effectiveness and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The orthosis features a top part with a ribbed design and a leg part, both with knitted threads that include a central elastane core covered by a polyamide covering thread, where the core's linear density in the top part is less than 0.7 times that of the leg part, allowing for a wide range of population adaptation and easy manufacturing on standard machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the number of size grids is reduced to limit costs, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to accommodate varying lower limb morphologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the linear density of the elastane core in the top part weft thread relative to the leg part weft thread (specifically, the top part core has less than 0.7 times the linear density of the leg part core). This parameter modification allows a single size grid to accommodate a wider range of lower limb morphologies while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness, thereby reducing the number of size grids needed and lowering manufacturing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard knitting machines without specific unwinding systems are used, then manufacturing equipment cost decreases, but the complexity of manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the linear density parameter of the elastane core in the weft threads to enable compatibility with standard knitting machines. By optimizing this parameter, the invention allows manufacturing on conventional equipment without requiring specialized unwinding systems, thus reducing equipment investment while maintaining manufacturability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the core linear density of top part weft thread is reduced to less than 0.7 times that of leg part, then adaptability to population increases, but the compression effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the linear density of elastane cores between the top part and leg part weft threads. The top part core has less than 0.7 times the linear density of the leg part core, creating localized variation in elastic properties. This local differentiation allows the orthosis to adapt to various population morphologies while maintaining adequate compression effectiveness through the higher density core in the leg part.
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
This design reduces the need for multiple size grids, lowers production costs, and enhances the orthosis's effectiveness and comfort, making it suitable for treating venous diseases of the lower limb.
Implementation Method 1
The restoring force of the elastic fibres then exerts a compression
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic venous compression orthosis having a top part and a leg part, the top part and the leg part having a top part knit thread and leg part knit thread, respectively, defining a network of knitted meshes, and a top part weft thread and leg part weft thread, respectively, each weft thread having a core which is covered by means of a covering thread, the orthosis being characterized in that the core of the top part weft thread and the one or more covering threads of the top part weft thread are made of elastane, and the core of the top part weft thread has a linear density of less than 0.7 times that of the core of the leg part weft thread.