Suction Assembly Cupping Therapy Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cupping therapies are dangerous, unhygienic, and difficult to control, limiting their use to trained practitioners and posing risks for inexperienced users.
Innovation Solution
A suction assembly with a therapy unit that includes a housing, pump, and interchangeable cups, allowing for controlled cupping therapy and supplemental therapies like heat and vibration, enabling safe and easy use by inexperienced users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cupping techniques (dry cupping or fire cupping) are used, then cupping therapy can be performed, but the procedure is dangerous and can burn the skin surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heating methods (fire cupping) or uncontrolled thermal heating (dry cupping) with an electric pump system that mechanically creates suction through controlled pressure differentials. The pump draws air into the cup through a valve, creating negative pressure without requiring external heat sources, thereby eliminating skin burning risks while maintaining cupping therapy effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism (the pump and valve system) between the user and the cupping process. This intermediary system regulates the suction force, allowing controlled creation of negative pressure without direct user manipulation of heat or fire, thus preventing skin burns while enabling safe cupping therapy application
2Reliability
If traditional cupping techniques are used, then cupping therapy can be performed, but it is difficult to control the pressure within the cups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the pump system responds to pressure differentials created during cupping therapy. The valve and pump work together to regulate air intake based on the suction force being applied, automatically adjusting pressure within the cup to maintain optimal therapy levels while preventing excessive pressure that could cause discomfort or tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces uncontrolled pressure generation methods with an electric pump system that provides precise, controllable pressure regulation. The pump can be controlled to deliver specific suction forces, making pressure control accessible to users without training while ensuring safe and effective cupping therapy application
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cupping techniques are used, then cupping therapy can be performed, but it requires trained practitioners which limits widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cupping system with self-service capabilities, where the pump and valve mechanism automatically regulates suction pressure without requiring user expertise. The system performs pressure control and therapy regulation autonomously, allowing inexperienced users to safely administer cupping therapy without needing training from licensed practitioners while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs programmable or adjustable parameters in the pump system that can be pre-set for different cupping therapy protocols. Users can select from predetermined suction levels and treatment durations without needing to understand or calculate appropriate pressure parameters, making the therapy accessible to laypeople while ensuring safe and effective application through built-in parameter control
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 suction assembly provides a safe and controlled method for cupping therapy, reducing adverse effects and allowing widespread use without trained supervision, while maintaining effective treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is configured to reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber by pumping gas from the chamber into the inlets and exhausting the gas out the outlets
Data Source
AI summary
A suction assembly is described. The suction assembly includes a therapy unit with a body that can apply a supplemental therapy to a skin surface. The suction assembly also includes a cup that can be removably connected to the therapy unit and that can interface with a skin surface to define a chamber within the cup. A pump of the therapy unit can reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber in a cupping therapy. In response to the skin surface being drawn into the chamber, the body can move in a longitudinal direction to maintain contact with the skin surface. A wall of the cup is translucent and the suction assembly is dimensioned to provide a user with a view into the chamber through the wall of the cup that is substantially unobstructed by the housing.