Reusable Thermoplastic Elastomer Sealing Strip for Decompression Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swelling associated with trauma or pathologies like lymphedema causes discomfort, limits range of motion, and interferes with medical imaging and treatment, posing challenges in reducing swelling effectively.
Innovation Solution
A durable, reusable treatment system that applies a lifting force to a tissue site using an occlusive layer, an air displacement device, and a sealing strip made of thermoplastic elastomer, which provides a non-adhesive tack and airtight sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing strip is used to seal the occlusive layer to the patient, then an airtight chamber can be formed, but the sealing material must balance adhesion strength with ease of removal and reusability
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing strip uses thermoplastic elastomer material whose physical properties ( tackiness, flexibility, elasticity) can be precisely controlled through composition and processing parameters. This allows the seal to be strong enough for airtight sealing yet gentle enough for easy removal and patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip is made from composite or blended thermoplastic elastomer materials that combine different polymer properties to achieve the optimal balance between adhesion strength, flexibility, and comfort. The composite material structure enables both reliable sealing and ease of operation
2Productivity
If a reusable treatment system is used, then cost-effectiveness and sustainability improve, but the system must withstand repeated sterilization cycles without degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoplastic elastomer sealing strip is formulated with material parameters (hardness, tensile strength, elasticity) that maintain their functional properties after repeated exposure to sterilization conditions, enabling reuse without significant degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The material is pre-engineered with sufficient mechanical strength and chemical resistance to withstand the anticipated number of sterilization cycles before replacement is needed, cushioning against performance degradation over time
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing strip material is made soft and flexible for comfort, then patient comfort improves, but the adhesion strength and sealing reliability may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoplastic elastomer sealing strip combines soft, flexible material properties with sufficient adhesion strength through composite or blended material formulations, achieving both patient comfort and sealing reliability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip may have varying material properties in different regions - softer where it contacts sensitive skin areas, and slightly firmer where sealing pressure is needed - creating local quality variations that satisfy both comfort and reliability 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 reduces swelling by increasing blood perfusion and lymphatic flow, facilitating healing and recovery, and can be easily cleaned and reused.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing strip configured to seal the occlusive layer to the patient. The sealing strip includes a thermoplastic elastomer having properties that provide a non-adhesive tack and substantially airtight sealing
Implementation Method 2
an air displacement device fluidly coupled the chamber and operable to remove air from the chamber
Implementation Method 3
Evacuation of air from the chamber pulls intact skin in a direction outward relative to the treatment site
Data Source
AI summary
A system for applying a lifting force to a tissue site of a patient includes an occlusive layer configured to define a substantially air-tight chamber around a tissue site when sealed to a patient, an air displacement device fluidly coupled the chamber and operable to remove air from the chamber, and a sealing strip configured to seal the occlusive layer to the patient. The sealing strip includes a thermoplastic elastomer having properties that provide a non-adhesive tack and substantially airtight sealing between the scaling strip and the patient.