Pressure Distributing Strap Apparatus for Surgical Wound Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Garment straps, especially those forming knots, can cause discomfort or injury by concentrating pressure on specific areas of the body, exacerbating existing wounds like surgical wounds from vertebra surgery.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a larger pressure-bearing surface and a securing mechanism that distributes the strap's pressure across a smaller area, using strap apertures and a knot aperture to secure the strap and reduce pressure on the wearer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If straps are used to position garments on the wearer, then the garment can be secured to the wearer, but pressure is concentrated on specific areas causing discomfort or injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment securingVSAvoidpressure concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pressure-distributing device as an intermediary between the strap and the wearer's body. This device has a first surface that contacts the wearer over a larger area and a second surface that receives the strap over a smaller area, thereby mediating the pressure transmission and distributing it across a broader region to reduce concentration points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional pressure concentration (along the narrow strap width) to two-dimensional pressure distribution (across the larger first surface area). By expanding the contact area from the strap's narrow width to the broader first surface, the pressure is distributed across multiple dimensions rather than being confined to a linear path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If knots are formed by fastening straps together, then the straps can be secured, but the knot creates additional pressure points that exacerbate discomfort or injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrap fasteningVSAvoidknot pressure points

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device serves as an intermediary that captures and redistributes the forces from knot formation. The second surface receives the strap and knot over a controlled smaller area, while the first surface distributes these forces across a larger area, preventing direct transmission of knot-induced pressure points to the wearer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful concentrated pressure from knot formation into a beneficial distributed pressure pattern. By designing the second surface to receive the knot over a smaller area and the first surface to distribute it over a larger area, the previously harmful force concentration is transformed into a beneficial force distribution that maintains secure fastening while eliminating discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8904569B2Apparatus for distributing pressure from a strap

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 DUMOUCHELLE JOANNE MELODY

AI summary

An apparatus and method for distributing pressure from at least one strap are provided. The apparatus includes a first surface for resting against a wearer, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a securing mechanism. The method involves resting an area of the first surface against the wearer, supporting a strap over a second area on the second surface and securing the strap over the second area.