Vacuum-Molded Limb Pad with Granule Segmentation for Dynamic Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plaster casts cause discomfort due to swelling, poor blood circulation, and difficulty in adjusting to the changing size of the affected limb during treatment, and they cannot be reused or easily removed for inspection or rehabilitation.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-molded and reusable limb protecting pad that uses an airtight bag filled with granules, which can be shaped by evacuating air to conform to the limb's contours for support and protection, and returned to a soft state for easy removal and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plaster cast is used to protect the affected limb, then the limb receives support and protection, but the cast becomes too tight when the limb swells and too loose when the swelling recedes, causing discomfort and poor blood circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The cast is designed with a detachable fastening mechanism that allows the tightness to be adjusted dynamically. The fastening component can be loosened or tightened according to the swelling condition of the affected limb, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cast is divided into multiple components including a cast body, a fastening component with detachable fastening means. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the fastening portion while maintaining the structural integrity of the cast body, enabling precise control over tightness.
2Reliability
If a plaster cast is used to protect the affected limb, then the limb receives support, but the cast cannot be easily removed for inspection or rehabilitation
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable fastening mechanism transforms the cast from a permanent fixture into a reversible one. The fastening component can be quickly detached and reattached, allowing easy removal for inspection or rehabilitation while maintaining secure protection during use.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the fastening function from the cast body through detachable fastening means, the design enables independent manipulation of the fastening portion, facilitating easy removal and reapplication without damaging the cast structure.
3Reliability
If a plaster cast is used to protect the affected limb, then the limb receives support, but the cast cannot be reused after treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The cast is designed with reusable components including the cast body and detachable fastening means. After treatment, these components can be cleaned and reused for subsequent cases, significantly reducing medical waste compared to traditional disposable plaster casts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cast components are designed to be universally applicable to different patients and cases. The detachable fastening mechanism and modular structure allow the same cast to be reused across multiple treatments, maximizing resource utilization and minimizing waste.
4Reliability
If a plaster cast is used to protect the affected limb, then the limb receives support, but the patient experiences discomfort and difficulty adapting to the cast
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable fastening mechanism allows the patient to adjust the tightness dynamically based on their comfort level and swelling condition, transforming a fixed, potentially uncomfortable structure into an adaptable one that responds to patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation of the fastening component from the cast body allows for precise adjustment of tightness in specific areas, enabling better comfort control while maintaining structural support where needed.
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 pad provides stable support and protection that adjusts to the limb's changing shape, reducing discomfort and facilitating rehabilitation, while also minimizing medical waste by allowing reuse and easy inspection of the affected area.
Implementation Method 1
drawing air out of the limb protecting pad, the limb protecting pad will exert pressure to the granules filled therein
Implementation Method 2
the granules are pressed against each other, and the limb protecting pad will be shaped into a pseudo solid state
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum-molded and reusable limb protecting pad (A) comprises an airtight bag body (10), two locating components (17) being respectively arranged at the positions, which are spaced and correspond to each other, of two inner side surfaces of the airtight bag body (10), the locating components (17) being capable of dividing a containing space (13) in the bag body (10) into a plurality of locating spaces (131), the bag body (10) being maintained to be in a flat and narrow shape, and the adjacent locating spaces (131) being enabled to be spaced, but be communicated with each other for being filled with a plurality of granules (40); an air nozzle (20), the bottom of the air nozzle (20) being sealed on the surface of the bag body (10) in an airtight way, and the air nozzle (20) being internally provided with an air channel (211) which is used for communicating the inside and the outside of the bag body (10) and can be switched into a state of communication or non-communication; a filter screen (112), arranged at a position corresponding to the air channel (221), the sieve number of the filter screen (112) being less than the particle sizes of the granules (40); and at least one tightening component (15), capable of enabling the limb protecting pad (A) to stably surround and cling to the surface of a limb (B).