Overlapped Air Bladder Compression for Pneumatic Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic physiotherapy apparatuses have blind spots and insufficient pressure due to non-inflatable dividers or seams between air bladders, leading to incomplete compression coverage, which affects user experience and treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic physiotherapy apparatus with a unique structure featuring an outer wrap, an inner component housing containing an inflation motor and control board, and an inner air bladder set, where the inflation motor is controlled by the integrated control board to inflate and deflate the air bladder set, ensuring even pressure distribution through a solenoid valve and pressure detection valve, and optionally includes an overlapped compression mechanism between air bladders for enhanced coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a divider or seam is used to separate air bladder sections, then the air bladder can be divided into multiple sections for sequential compression, but the divider or seam cannot be inflated, creating blind spots with insufficient pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary air flow passageway that connects the distal and proximal air bladder sections through the divider area. This passageway allows air to flow around the divider, ensuring that the divider and seam areas receive sufficient air pressure inflation, thereby eliminating the blind spots while maintaining sequential compression capability
Solution Approach 2:
The air bladder is segmented into multiple sections (distal and proximal) with controlled air flow paths. The divider is designed with specific air flow passageways that segment the inflation process, allowing air to reach all areas including the divider and seam regions, ensuring complete pressure coverage while enabling sequential compression
2Productivity
If multiple air bladders are used to form an air flow passageway, then sequential compression from distal to proximal is achieved, but the seams between air bladders create blind spots with little or no air pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple air bladders into a single integrated structure with shared air flow passageways. The distal and proximal sections are connected through common air flow channels that ensure air reaches the seam areas, combining the benefits of multi-section compression while eliminating the pressure deficiencies caused by separate bladder seams
3Ease of operation
If the air flow passageway is designed to flow from distal to proximal, then sequential compression is achieved, but the divider area receives insufficient air pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a dimensional component to the air flow path by creating air flow passageways that extend through the divider area in addition to the distal-to-proximal flow. This three-dimensional air flow routing ensures that the divider area receives adequate air pressure while maintaining the sequential compression sequence from distal to proximal
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 comprehensive and consistent compression, improving blood circulation, relieving pain, preventing deep vein thrombosis, and treating lymphedema by ensuring full coverage and reliable pressure distribution, enhancing user experience and treatment effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The inflation motor that is controlled by the integrated control board inflates the inner air bladder set
Implementation Method 2
The component housing also contains a solenoid valve and a pressure detection valve
Implementation Method 3
When the inflation pressure inside the air bladder reaches a preset value, the pressure detection valve detects and sends signals to the integrated control board
Data Source
AI summary
The pneumatic therapy apparatus and method with overlapped compression include a wrap and a controller. The wrap includes an outer wrap and an inner air bladder set; the controller can be fixedly connected to, detachably connected to, or separately connected to the outer wrap; the inner air bladder set includes one or more than one set of a first air bladder and a second air bladder that are overlapped; the controller contains an inflating motor and an integrated control board that are electrically connected. The inflating motor that is controlled by the integrated control board inflates the second air bladder first and then the first air bladder to achieve the overlapped compression between the second air bladder and the first air bladder. Therefore, the user can use the pneumatic therapy apparatus and method with overlapped compression to promote blood flow, treat lymphedema, prevent deep vein thrombosis and other diseases, and improve user experience in the treatment areas.