Wearable Limb Compression Wrap With Motorized Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DVT compression devices are uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, lack patient compliance, and are not conducive to mobility, especially for elderly patients, due to their pneumatic nature and requirement for a separate pump unit.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic, wearable compression device with a disposable wrap and reusable controller that applies controlled compression, includes sensors for patient compliance monitoring, and ensures mobility through a DC motor-driven mechanism with a load cell for tension measurement and RF chip authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic compression device with a separate pump unit is used, then compression function is achieved, but patient mobility is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the compression mechanism directly into the cuff itself, merging the pump function and compression function into a single unit. The electric motor and compression mechanism are housed within the cuff, eliminating the need for a separate external pump unit, thereby improving patient mobility while maintaining reliable compression function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional pneumatic system with an electrically-driven mechanical compression system. Instead of using a pneumatic pump to inflate and deflate the cuff, an electric motor directly drives the compression mechanism, simplifying the overall system and improving portability.
2Reliability
If a pneumatic compression device is used, then compression function is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (compression, pumping, control) into a single integrated unit housed within the cuff. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external pump units and complex piping systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective compression function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the compression mechanism from the external pump unit and places it directly within the cuff. This extraction and repositioning of the compression function simplifies the system architecture by eliminating unnecessary intermediate components and connections.
3Reliability
If compression device is worn for extended periods to ensure DVT prevention, then health benefit is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional pneumatic inflation/deflation system with a continuous mechanical compression system. This substitution allows for more consistent and comfortable compression over extended periods, as the mechanical system can maintain steady compression forces without the cyclic inflation/deflation movements that cause discomfort in pneumatic systems.
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 provides effective DVT prevention by ensuring patient compliance and mobility, applying compression that achieves three times the baseline blood flow velocity, with a Body Compression Index (BCI) and Mobility Health Index (MHI) for monitoring recovery progress.
Implementation Method 1
The controller mounting arrangement includes a load cell at the interface between the wrap and the controller that is configured to measure a tension force generated as the wrap is tightened on the patient's limb
Implementation Method 2
The controller includes a DC motor and transmission to gear down the rotational output speed of the motor to a speed suitable for use in contracting the wrap
Data Source
AI summary
A compression device particularly suited for DVT prophylaxis includes a disposable wrap and a re-usable controller removably mounted on the wrap to apply a tensioning force to the wrap when it is encircling the limb of a patient. The wrap includes a strap wrapped around an electric motor-driven pulley, with an encoder to determine the amount of rotation of the pulley and a current sensor to determine the current load on the motor during operation. A pretension protocol sets the pulley of the wrap at a proper frap position so that the wrap can properly execute a DVT prophylaxis protocol.