Portable Controller Unit for Compression Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sequential compression devices for preventing or treating conditions like deep vein thrombosis are often bulky and require a remote air compressor, making them less portable and convenient for immobile patients.
Innovation Solution
A portable controller unit with an integrated air compressor and valve mechanism mounted on a molded manifold base, which includes a plenum for fluid communication, allowing for secure attachment to a compression device and delivery of pressurized air directly to inflatable bladders, eliminating the need for separate tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote air compressor is used for sequential compression devices, then the compression device can deliver pressurized air to inflatable bladders, but the device becomes bulky and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air compressor, valve mechanism, and manifold into a single integrated portable controller unit. This merging of previously separate components (remote compressor and compression device) into one unified unit resolves the contradiction by maintaining compression therapy functionality while significantly improving portability and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If separate tubing is used to connect the air compressor to the compression device, then the components can be separate, but the device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the air compressor, valve mechanism, and manifold into a single portable controller unit eliminates the need for separate tubing connections and multiple discrete components. This merging simplifies the overall system structure while improving ease of operation through reduced setup complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for the compression device, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device becomes more complex and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple previously separate components (air compressor, valve mechanism, manifold) into a single portable controller unit that can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled unit. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the ability to optimize individual components during design while eliminating assembly complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is designed with pre-formed internal passages and integrated connection points that are molded into the base structure. This preliminary formation of fluid pathways during manufacturing eliminates the need for post-assembly tubing connections, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining component optimization capabilities.
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
Enables convenient, portable, and efficient application of compression therapy directly to the body part, improving blood circulation and reducing the risk of blood clot formation without the need for external air compressor units.
Implementation Method 1
The plenum fluidly connecting the air compressor to the valve mechanism extends through the connector component and fluidly connects the connector to the valve mechanism so that when the base is secured to the compression device, air can be delivered from the air compressor through the connector component to the compression device
Data Source
AI summary
A portable controller unit for delivering pressurized air to a compression device does not require the use of tubing to make internal or external connections. The controller unit includes a molded, one-piece manifold base on which an air compressor and a valve mechanism are mounted. The manifold base includes a plenum formed inside the base during molding of the base and a connector component formed during molding of the base for releasably securing the base to the compression device. The plenum fluidly connects the air compressor to the valve mechanism. The plenum extends through the connector component and fluidly connects the connector to the valve mechanism so that when the base is secured to the compression device, air can be delivered from the air compressor through the connector component to the compression device.