Pneumatic Compression Therapy System with Centralized Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic compression devices require multiple solenoid-controlled valves and pressure regulators to control pressure at each cell, increasing complexity and cost, and rely on user adjustment for appropriate pressure settings, lacking direct control by the control processor.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic compression device with a compression pump, fill/exhaust valve, transducer, and controller, where the transducer senses pressure and the controller determines the state of the fill/exhaust valve and cell valves to manage inflation and deflation, reducing the need for multiple regulators and enabling direct pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pressure regulators and solenoid-controlled valves are used to control pressure at each cell, then pressure control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pressure regulators into a single regulator that serves all cells. The regulator is equipped with multiple ports, each connected to different cells, allowing centralized pressure control for the entire appliance rather than requiring individual regulators for each cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pressure regulator is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling pressure for multiple cells simultaneously. The regulator acts as a universal pressure control device that can serve different cells in sequence or concurrently, eliminating the need for dedicated regulators for each cell.
2Measurement precision
If multiple pressure regulators and solenoid-controlled valves are used to control pressure at each cell, then pressure control capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pressure regulators into a single regulator that serves all cells. The regulator is equipped with multiple ports, each connected to different cells, allowing centralized pressure control for the entire appliance rather than requiring individual regulators for each cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pressure regulator is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling pressure for multiple cells simultaneously. The regulator acts as a universal pressure control device that can serve different cells in sequence or concurrently, eliminating the need for dedicated regulators for each cell.
3Measurement precision
If conventional pressure regulators are used, then pressure control is achieved, but user intervention is required for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pressure sensor that continuously monitors the actual pressure within the cells and feeds this information back to the control processor. The control processor compares the sensed pressure with the desired pressure and automatically adjusts the regulator and valves to maintain the correct pressure, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of pressure settings through the control processor that automatically responds to pressure sensor feedback. The device monitors its own operational state and makes necessary corrections without requiring user intervention, making the system self-regulating.
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 configuration simplifies the system, reduces costs, and allows for precise control of pressure, ensuring effective fluid movement without user intervention, enhancing treatment efficacy for conditions like lymphedema and venous insufficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer sense a pressure level at the fill/exhaust valve
Implementation Method 2
a compression pump configured to output a pressurized fluid via an output
Implementation Method 3
a fill/exhaust valve configured to connect the compression pump to one or more cell valves when in an open state and to connect the one or more cell valves to the atmosphere when in a closed state
Data Source
AI summary
Pneumatic compression devices and methods for using the same are disclosed. A pneumatic compression device may include a compression pump, a fill/exhaust valve, a transducer, a plurality of cell valves, and a controller. The compression pump may output a pressurized fluid via an output. The fill/exhaust valve may connect one or more cell valves to the compression pump when in an open state and to the atmosphere when in a closed state. The transducer may sense a pressure level. Each cell valve may correspond to a cell and may connect the fill/exhaust valve to the corresponding cell when in an open state. The controller may determine a state (either open or closed) for each of the fill/exhaust valve and the plurality of cell valves based on at least the pressure level sensed by the transducer.