Reusable Pump Assembly for Disposable DVT Compression Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable intermittent pneumatic compression systems for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treatment are not reusable, leading to environmental concerns due to electronic waste, as they typically contain rechargeable batteries and other components that are discarded after use.
Innovation Solution
A portable system comprising inflatable garment sleeves with rechargeable pump assemblies that can be detached and reused, featuring a programmable microcontroller, solenoid valve, and pressure sensor to inflate and deflate the sleeves in a cyclic manner, with a dual corded power supply adapter for recharging, allowing the system to be returned to a supplier after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If portable intermittent pneumatic compression systems are designed as complete disposable units, then they are easy to use and ensure reliability, but they generate electronic waste due to discarded batteries and electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into disposable components (garment sleeves with air chambers) and reusable components (pump assemblies with batteries and electronics). The garment sleeves are discarded after use while the pump assemblies are returned and reused, thereby maintaining system reliability through consistent pump performance while eliminating electronic waste by segregating the electronic components from the disposable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a returnable pump assembly program where the reusable pump units are collected, recharged, and redistributed for continued use. This recovery process ensures that electronic components remain in service indefinitely rather than being discarded with each patient treatment, directly addressing the electronic waste problem while maintaining reliable pump functionality through centralized maintenance and recharging.
2Ease of operation
If the pump assembly is made portable with rechargeable batteries, then patient mobility and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity increases due to integrated electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The complex electronic components (batteries, microcontrollers, solenoid valves, pressure sensors) are extracted from the disposable garment sleeve and concentrated into a separate reusable pump assembly. This extraction allows the garment sleeve to remain simple and disposable while the complexity is contained in the durable pump unit that can be maintained and reused, thereby improving ease of operation without permanently increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable pump assembly is designed to be universally applicable to multiple garment sleeves and can be recharged and reused across multiple patients and treatment sessions. This multi-functionality amortizes the complexity of the electronic components over many uses, making the increased device complexity worthwhile by providing portable, patient-friendly operation without single-use waste.
3Manufacturing precision
If the air chamber is formed in the interior surface of the garment sleeve, then the compression application is precise and effective, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating complex three-dimensional air chambers through complicated manufacturing processes, the patent uses a two-dimensional pattern printed on the interior surface of the garment sleeve. When the sleeve is inflated, this flat pattern naturally forms the necessary three-dimensional air chamber shape through the physics of fabric expansion, thereby achieving precise compression application without requiring high manufacturing precision for complex chamber formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression therapy is delivered through periodic inflation and deflation cycles controlled by the microcontroller. This periodic action allows the air chamber to be dynamically adjusted to provide optimal compression at different phases of the cycle, achieving effective DVT prophylaxis through time-varying pressure rather than requiring perfectly precise static chamber geometry, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 system effectively stimulates venous and arterial circulation, reducing the risk of DVT, while being environmentally friendly by allowing reusable components and disposable sleeves, thus minimizing electronic waste.
Implementation Method 1
intermittent pneumatic compression, which involves the use of an air pump to inflate and deflate sleeves wrapped around a patient's legs
Implementation Method 2
an electronic pressure sensing capabilities that monitors pressure with the air chamber of a garment sleeve
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid valve communicating with the microcontroller
Implementation Method 4
a rechargeable battery powered pump assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed for stimulating venous and arterial circulation in a patient to prevent deep vein thrombosis, which includes a first inflatable garment sleeve configured to be wrapped around the left calf of the patient and having a first air input tube extending from an exterior surface thereof, a second inflatable garment sleeve configured to be wrapped around the right calf of the patient and having a second air input tube extending from an exterior surface of the second garment sleeve, a portable pump for cyclically inflating the first and second garment sleeves, and a bifurcated tube assembly for connecting the portable pump to the first and second air input tubes of the first and second garment sleeves.