Trimmable Hand Compression Garment with Adjustable Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression therapies for lymphedema, such as bandaging and compression garments, are time-consuming, require skilled application, and do not promote self-care or provide sustained therapeutic compression, especially for hand swelling which varies in size and shape, leading to compliance issues and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A trimmable compression garment for the hand with adjustable bands and a measuring system that allows for customizable fitting and tension adjustment, enabling easy application and adjustment by the user, promoting self-management and improved hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inelastic compression bandages are used, then edema reduction is effective, but application is time-consuming and requires skilled clinician
Solution Approach 1:
The compression garment is divided into a body portion and multiple separate bands that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows for quicker application compared to traditional bandaging while maintaining effective compression, as each band can be independently positioned and secured without requiring skilled clinician intervention for the entire garment application.
Solution Approach 2:
The bands are designed to be adjustable between multiple tensions and can be trimmed to different lengths, allowing dynamic adaptation to changing hand size and shape as edema reduces. This dynamic adjustability maintains therapeutic effectiveness while enabling patient self-management, reducing the time and skill required for application.
2Reliability
If inelastic compression bandages are used, then compression is provided, but subject cannot self-care and requires frequent follow-up visits
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates trimmable bands with fasteners that enable patients to independently adjust and secure the compression levels on their own hands. The bands can be trimmed to appropriate lengths and adjusted to maintain therapeutic compression as swelling changes, eliminating the need for frequent clinician follow-up visits and promoting patient autonomy in their lymphedema management.
3Ease of manufacture
If wrap type garments are used, then bandage alternative is provided, but sizing adjustments are complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring complex sizing adjustments to a single wrap garment, the compression system uses multiple separate bands that can be independently trimmed and adjusted. This segmentation simplifies the sizing process, as each band can be individually customized to fit the patient's hand dimensions without requiring complex overall garment adjustment procedures.
4Reliability
If compression garment contours hand, then therapeutic compression is achieved, but adjustment as swelling reduces is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The bands are designed with trimmable ends and adjustable fasteners that allow patients to modify the compression levels and band lengths as their hand swelling changes over time. This dynamic adaptability ensures continuous therapeutic effectiveness throughout the treatment process, accommodating the reducing hand size and shape as lymphedema improves.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment allows changes in physical parameters such as band length and tension level through trimming and adjustment mechanisms. As the hand swelling reduces, patients can trim bands to appropriate lengths and adjust fasteners to maintain optimal compression pressure, ensuring the garment continues to provide effective therapeutic compression throughout the treatment course.
Data Source
AI summary
A compression garment for a hand. The garment includes a body portion dimensioned to wrap at least partially around a hand of a user and includes a trimmable portion. An aperture of the body portion is disposed opposite the trimmable portion wherein the aperture is configured for receiving a thumb of the user. A plurality of bands are extended from an edge of the body portion in communication with the trimmable portion. Each band can be trimmable to a plurality of sizes (e.g. length, width, or the like) and can include a proximal end connected to the body portion and a distal free end having a fastener.