System for donning a compressive garment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The donning of compressive garments, such as stockings, is difficult due to their tight fit, requiring forceful stretching and manual positioning, which can be physically demanding and uncomfortable, especially for individuals with limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a ring assembly with moveable ring sections and a support assembly that clamps the garment onto the ring structure, along with a handle assembly allowing users to handle the ring assembly at a distance, facilitating easier donning without the need for manual stretching or positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual stretching and positioning is used to don the compressive garment, then the garment can be positioned appropriately on the body part, but the process becomes physically demanding and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a donning device as an intermediary tool between the user and the compressive garment. This device includes a support structure with a support surface and a retention mechanism that holds the garment during donning, eliminating the need for manual stretching and positioning. The user simply steps into or places the body part onto the device, which automatically positions and secures the garment.
Solution Approach 2:
The donning device enables self-service donning by providing a mechanism where the garment is automatically retained and positioned on the body part without requiring manual intervention. The retention mechanism, which may include clamps, straps, or elastic elements, automatically secures the garment once the body part is placed on the support surface, allowing users with limited mobility to don the garment independently.
2Manufacturing precision
If forceful stretching is applied to position the garment, then the garment can be fitted tightly, but the process becomes uncomfortable and potentially unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The donning device performs preliminary action by pre-positioning and pre-tensioning the compressive garment on the support surface before the body part is introduced. The garment is stretched and positioned to the correct dimensions and tension level in advance, eliminating the need for forceful stretching during the actual donning process. This ensures accurate garment positioning while avoiding discomfort and safety risks associated with manual forceful stretching.
3Volume of moving object
If the ring structure is compact, then it is easier to handle and store, but the support assembly cannot provide sufficient clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is segmented into multiple independent clamping elements distributed around the ring structure. Each clamping element can exert force locally on the garment, and the cumulative effect of multiple elements provides sufficient total clamping force even when the overall ring assembly remains compact. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a space-efficient design while delivering the necessary strength for secure garment retention.
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 users, including those with limited mobility, to don compressive garments independently by providing a mechanism to resist radial compression and maintain the garment in place during donning, reducing physical effort and discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The support assembly comprises a resilient element arranged to engage the compressive garment and apply a clamping force onto the circumferential wall of the ring structure
Data Source
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AI summary
System (1) for donning a compressive garment (2), comprising: a ring assembly (3) forming a ring structure (5) comprising a circumferential wall for receiving a stretched compressive garment thereon; a support assembly (8) for supporting the ring structure 85) at an initial donning position defined by the support assembly; and at least one handle assembly (9) connected or at least connectable to at least one of the ring assembly and the support assembly, the at least one handle assembly comprising one or more respective handles (10) which, when connected, are at least selectively arranged at a predetermined axial distance from the ring structure at an opposite axial side of the ring structure from a garment receiving end, at least when the ring structure is supported by the support assembly.