Tubeless Compression Device Conduit Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices for preventing or treating deep vein thrombosis and peripheral edema are limited in their ability to provide effective intermittent pressure to improve blood circulation in immobile patients, as they often require external air compressors and may not maintain fluid communication under compressive forces.
Innovation Solution
A compression device comprising air impermeable bladder layers with conduits and a unitary conduit terminal that allows for direct mechanical coupling with a portable air compressor, ensuring fluid communication and maintaining pressure despite compressive forces, with snap connector components for secure attachment and bulbous passages for efficient air delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional compression devices use external air compressors and separate tubing connections, then the device can provide intermittent pressure for blood circulation, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases under compressive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conduit terminal and connector components into a single integrated unit that is directly coupled to the bladder layers. This eliminates separate tubing connections and external compressor mounting hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable fluid communication under compressive forces through the integrated structure's inherent stability
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit terminal acts as an intermediary structure that directly couples the bladder layers to the air compressor. This intermediate component provides a stable, integrated connection point that maintains fluid communication reliability without requiring complex external tubing and connector assemblies
2Reliability
If the compression device uses separate tubing and connector components for air delivery, then assembly is flexible, but the device may lose fluid communication under compressive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit terminal integrates multiple functions (conduit termination, connector mounting, and structural support) into a single manufactured component. This merging simplifies the assembly process while ensuring reliable fluid communication, as the integrated structure eliminates potential failure points from separate tubing and connector interfaces under compression
3Reliability
If the passage has a uniform diameter for simple manufacturing, then manufacturing is easier, but air delivery efficiency under compression is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The passage geometry is optimized with varying diameter along its length, with wider sections at critical locations (such as near the compressor connection and bladder interface) to maintain air flow efficiency under compression. This local quality variation ensures reliable air delivery where needed most while allowing simpler manufacturing in less critical sections
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 device effectively applies intermittent pressure to improve blood circulation, reducing the risk of blood clot formation and pulmonary emboli by maintaining fluid communication and secure air delivery, even under compressive forces, enhancing patient safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
Each conduit is in fluid communication with one of the respective passages. Each passage is releasably connectable, along an axis generally orthogonal to the first and second bladder layers, into fluid communication with an air compressor.
Implementation Method 2
The conduit terminal is adapted to simultaneously mount and fluidly connect a portable air compressor unit to the compression device to deliver pressurized air from the air compressor unit to the inflatable bladder.
Implementation Method 3
A compression device for applying compression to a body part of a wearer... an inflatable bladder is defined by the first and second bladder layers and the bladder sealing line
Data Source
AI summary
A compression device for applying compression to a body part of a wearer has an inflatable bladder defined by first and second bladder layers and a bladder sealing line securing the first and second bladder layers to one another. A conduit is defined by spaced apart, generally opposing conduit sealing lines securing the first and second bladder layers to one another and portions of the first and second bladder layers between the conduit lines. The conduit is fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder for delivering pressurized air to the inflatable bladder. Tubing is not needed for connection to the compression device.