Handheld Pneumatic Compression Sleeve With Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression devices for treating venous leg ulcers, such as elastic bandages and pneumatic devices, are cumbersome, difficult to use, and lack accurate pressure measurement, making them unsuitable for home treatment and mobility, while also being aesthetically and comfort-wise unacceptable to patients.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld pneumatic compression device with a control system that includes pressure sensors and a microprocessor to accurately measure and control pressure, detect sensor malfunctions, and adjust fluid flow to ensure safe and effective compression therapy, featuring a sleeve divided into minicells and a separate understocking for moisture absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pneumatic compression devices are used to provide effective compression therapy, then compression effectiveness is improved, but device size and weight increase making them unsuitable for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is divided into separate functional modules: a portable control unit with pump, a flexible sleeve with minicells, and a separate understocking. This segmentation allows the heavy pump mechanism to be compact and portable while the sleeve can be easily applied to the patient's leg, making the device suitable for home use while maintaining compression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a flexible sleeve made of thin, compliant material that can be easily applied to the patient's limb. The sleeve contains multiple minicells that can be independently inflated, providing effective compression without requiring a bulky rigid structure, thus reducing device weight and improving portability.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are added to measure compression pressure accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is integrated within the control unit, which is itself contained within or attached to the sleeve assembly. This nesting of components (sensor within control unit within sleeve system) allows accurate pressure measurement without significantly increasing the overall device complexity or size, as the sensor shares the same housing and power source as other control components.
3Ease of operation
If multiple minicells are used to provide targeted compression, then compression control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into multiple minicells that can be independently controlled and inflated to different pressure levels. This segmentation allows targeted compression of specific areas of the patient's limb, improving compression control and therapeutic effectiveness. The complexity is managed by using a single pump and controller that sequentially or simultaneously activates individual cells through simple valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The minicells can be dynamically inflated and deflated in different sequences and at different pressure levels based on treatment requirements. This dynamic control allows the device to adapt to different patient needs and treatment stages, improving ease of operation while the centralized control system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple cells.
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 accurate and controlled compression therapy, ensuring patient safety and comfort by reducing pressure to zero if malfunctions are detected, allowing for mobile and home-based treatment with improved patient compliance and aesthetic acceptability.
Implementation Method 1
The device comprises an inflatable sleeve and can have an associated pressure sensor which measures pressure exerted by the sleeve when in use upon the limb of a patient
Implementation Method 2
The pump which produces the compression is large and heavy and can supply fluid to the cuffs through many pipes
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressurised medical device comprising an inflatable element arranged to contact a part of a patient; a fluid connector attached to the element and arranged to deliver fluid to the element; a control system arranged to control flow of fluid in the device; a first element pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure exerted by the element on the part of the patient; and detection means arranged to detect malfunctioning of the first element pressure sensor.