Variable Stiffness Elastic Bandage for Selective Joint Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices for joints and limbs, such as bands and bandages, fail to provide localized adjustable pressure, often causing discomfort, pain, and tissue damage due to uniform pressure distribution, and are not adaptable to various body types without multiple sizes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an elastic band with sections of different stiffnesses that adhere to the skin under tension, allowing for variable pressure distribution by applying distinct stretching forces to different sections, thereby maintaining localized compression and avoiding sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If uniform pressure bandages are used to compress limbs, then compression is applied across the entire covered area, but this causes excessive pressure on sensitive areas (dorsal arch, tibial malleolus, Achilles tendon) leading to pain and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bandage is divided into multiple independent elastic bands with different stiffnesses, each capable of being tensioned independently. This segmentation allows pressure to be applied selectively to specific areas (e.g., compressing the calf muscle) while avoiding sensitive regions (e.g., the Achilles tendon), thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving compression and avoiding harmful pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the bandage have different local properties - specifically, different stiffnesses and adhesion characteristics. The inner face of each elastic band has adhesion properties that allow it to maintain tension independently. This local differentiation enables targeted compression on specific body areas while leaving sensitive areas uncompressed, solving the problem of uniform pressure causing harm.
2Ease of operation
If hook and loop fasteners are used to ensure fit and tightness, then adjustable pressure is achieved, but the fasteners are thick and rigid, restricting movement and interfering with clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional hook and loop fastening system is completely removed from the bandage design. Instead, the elastic bands themselves provide the tightening mechanism through their inherent elasticity and adhesion properties. The bands can be tensioned and secured without any external fasteners, eliminating the thickness and rigidity problems while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bands are designed to be self-tensing and self-securing through their material properties. The adhesion on the inner face allows the bands to maintain tension and stay in place without external fasteners. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for thick, rigid hook and loop fasteners, reducing device complexity while preserving ease of operation.
3Stress or pressure
If knitted socks or sleeves with selective knitting are used, then different pressures can be applied to different areas, but the devices become thick and require multiple sizes for various body shapes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical structure (thickness) of the bandage to achieve variable pressure, the invention changes the tension parameter of each elastic band independently. By adjusting the tension applied to each band during application, different pressure levels are achieved on different body areas without increasing the overall thickness of the device.
4Device complexity
If a single size bandage is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but it cannot accommodate various body shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The bandage transitions from a static, fixed-size design to a dynamic, adjustable system. Each elastic band can be independently tensioned to adapt to different body circumferences and shapes. This dynamic adjustment capability allows a single bandage to fit various body types, maintaining device simplicity while achieving versatility.
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
Enables selective and adjustable pressure application on specific areas, reducing discomfort and tissue damage while accommodating various body morphologies without the need for multiple sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the inner face of the band having, in the presence of restraint pressure exerted by the band when it is arranged under tension around a limb or joint, an adhesion with the covered area, such that the band can locally retain stretches resulting from different stretching forces
Implementation Method 2
an elastic band having two band sections having different stiffnesses
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a holding or immobilising device shaped so as to surround a limb or a joint of a user, comprising an elastic bandage (1) having two bandage sections (10, 20) exhibiting different levels of stiffness, the elastic bandage comprising an inner face (15) which is in contact with an area covered by the bandage and an outer face (14) opposing the inner face, the inner face of the bandage adhering to the covered area, in the presence of an immobilising pressure exerted when the bandage is arranged tightly around a limb or a joint, such that the two bandage sections can maintain stretching resulting from different stretching forces, once said stretching forces have disappeared.