Pressure Cuff Shell Structure to Reduce Skin Marks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure measuring devices often leave pressure marks on the body part due to the design and material properties, which can cause discomfort and potential skin damage.

Innovation Solution

A pressure measuring device with a kinking-proof shell that has proximal and distal end portions bent away from the body part and softer than the main part, along with a fluid bag for pressure application, and a pressure sensing device to measure blood pulsations, ensuring uniform pressure distribution and reduced likelihood of marks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a rigid shell is used to apply pressure uniformly, then measurement precision is improved, but pressure marks and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidpressure marks on body part
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is designed with different stiffness characteristics in different regions: the main body maintains rigidity for uniform pressure distribution, while the end portions are made softer to prevent pressure marks. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous achievement of measurement precision and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is divided into functionally distinct segments: a rigid main body portion for applying uniform pressure and softer end portions for reducing pressure marks. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shell is made softer to reduce pressure marks, then comfort is improved, but pressure distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure marks on body partVSAvoidpressure distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the shell have different stiffness properties. The main body is rigid to ensure uniform pressure distribution, while the end portions are softer to reduce pressure marks. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between comfort and pressure uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is segmented into a rigid main body and softer end portions, allowing the rigid section to maintain pressure distribution uniformity while the softer sections reduce pressure marks on the body part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shell is made more flexible to reduce pressure marks, then comfort is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure marks on body partVSAvoidshell structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shell exhibits local quality differentiation where the main body maintains high structural stability through rigidity, while the end portions are made softer and more flexible to reduce pressure marks. This allows the shell to be both structurally stable and comfortable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is segmented into a structurally stable rigid main body and flexible softer end portions. This segmentation enables the shell to maintain overall structural stability while the flexible ends reduce pressure marks on the body part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces pressure marks on the body part by using a kinking-proof shell and a fluid bag with uniform pressure application, enhancing measurement accuracy and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure application element (60) configured to apply pressure to the body part (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensing device (7) configured to measure a pressure signal of the subject, wherein the measured pressure signal is indicative of blood pulsations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4663103A1Pressure measuring device to be used for determining a physiological parameter of a subject
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4663103A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663103A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4663103A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressure measuring device configured to surround a subject's body part. The device comprises a pressure application element configured to apply pressure to the body part, a pressure sensing device configured to measure a pressure signal of the subject, wherein the measured pressure signal is indicative of blood pulsations, and a shell 4 which is arranged to be located between the pressure application element and the body part. The shell comprises proximal and distal end portions 73, 74, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal end portions is at least partly bent away from the body part and/or wherein at least one of the proximal and distal end portions is softer than a main part 77 of the shell located between the proximal and distal end portions. This allows to reduce the likelihood of pressure marks on the body part.