Assistance system for fitting a medical compression device onto a limb of a patient

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assistance systems for fitting medical compression stockings require substantial effort and can lead to muscular and joint disorders in caregivers due to the need for repetitive, physically demanding gestures, especially when patients have limited dexterity or flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An assistance system with two stretching members mounted on a support, featuring a shaped rod with external and internal connecting elements, allowing for elastic deformation and reduced separation requirements, combined with a driving device for automated operation, to simplify the fitting of medical compression devices onto limbs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the stretching members are sufficiently separated to allow passage of the limb and foot, then the fitting can be performed, but substantial effort is required to separate and maintain them in position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fittingVSAvoideffort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring mechanism that acts as a counterweight to the force required to separate the stretching members. The spring is pre-compressed and stores elastic potential energy, automatically pushing the stretching members apart to maintain the necessary separation for limb passage without requiring continuous manual force from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The stretching members are pre-configured in a compressed state with the spring already loaded. When the user activates the mechanism, the pre-stored elastic energy immediately propels the stretching members into the separated position, eliminating the need for the user to exert substantial force during the actual fitting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the stretching members are separated to allow foot passage, then the fitting can proceed, but the user must maintain them in position requiring substantial effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintaining positionVSAvoidsustained effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism continuously exerts a counteracting force to maintain the stretching members in the separated position. This eliminates the need for the user to sustain muscular effort to hold the members apart, as the spring automatically compensates for any tendency of the members to return to the compressed state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to maintain itself in the operational position through the spring's elastic recovery force. Once activated, the stretching members self-maintain their separated state without requiring continuous external intervention or force application by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If the stretching members are brought close together for retaining, then the device is compact, but substantial effort is required to separate them for fitting

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompactnessVSAvoideffort to separate

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is pre-compressed during the compact storage phase, storing elastic potential energy. When separation is needed, this pre-stored energy is released to automatically propel the stretching members apart, converting the compact storage advantage into active separation force rather than requiring user effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the resistive force that would normally oppose separation into a beneficial propulsive force through the spring mechanism. The spring's elastic recovery, which naturally resists compression, is harnessed to provide the separating force needed to overcome the compact configuration and enable easy member separation.

Inventive Principle:

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

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

Reduces the effort required to separate and maintain the stretching members, enabling easier fitting of medical compression devices while allowing for automation and reducing the risk of muscular and joint disorders in caregivers.

Implementation Method 1

a shaped rod for forming the body and comprising the base of the body... allowing for elastic deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9756972B2Assistance system for fitting a medical compression device onto a limb of a patient

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 MAT MED

AI summary

An assistance system including a support and two stretching members wherein a retaining part and a base of at least a first of the stretching members extend respectively in transverse planes, the transverse plane containing the retaining part of the first stretching member being offset towards the retaining part of the second stretching member relative to the base of said first stretching member, and wherein the first stretching member includes: a shaped rod and having a bow for forming a body having a recess, an external connecting element to which the base is linked, and an internal connecting element parallel to the external connecting element.