Electro active compression bandage
First Claim
1. A device for exerting an external pressure to a human body part, the device comprising:
- an actuator apparatus controllable in response to control signals from a control unit;
at least two segments of which a first segment is adapted to at least partially enclose a first portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part and a second segment is adapted to at least partially enclose a second portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, each of the at least two segments configured with the actuator apparatus operable so as to in the absence of any intermediate component between the actuator apparatus and the body part when the device is fitted on the body part cause each of the at least two segments to apply a basic pressure profile to the body part; and
a pressure transition system adapted to be positioned between a surface defined by the first and second segments and a surface of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, wherein the pressure transition system comprises a plurality of deformable flexible chambers containing a flexible medium, wherein the pressure transition system extends over the first and second portions of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, wherein the pressure transition system is adapted to redistribute the basic pressure profiles between the first and second segments, in such a manner that movement of the first segment under control of the actuator apparatus causes the pressure transition system to apply a first adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the second portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part and movement of the second segment under control of the actuator apparatus causes the pressure transition system to apply a second adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the first portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, and wherein each of the first adjusted pressure profile and the second adjusted pressure profile are different from each of a first basic pressure profile of the first segment and a second basic pressure profile of the second segment.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The proposed device includes two segments adapted to enclose a body part in a form-fitting manner. Each segment contains an electroactive-material-based actuator, which is adapted to receive an electrical control signal and in response thereto adjust the actuator'"'"'s morphology, so as to cause the segment to apply a basic pressure profile to the body part. A pressure transition is adapted to redistribute the basic pressure profiles between the first and second segments. A control signal in respect of the first segment causes the pressure transition system to apply a first adjusted pressure profile to at least part of the second portion of the body part, and vice versa, a control signal in respect of the second segment causes the pressure transition system to apply a second adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the first portion of the body part.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device for exerting an external pressure to a human body part, the device comprising:
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an actuator apparatus controllable in response to control signals from a control unit; at least two segments of which a first segment is adapted to at least partially enclose a first portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part and a second segment is adapted to at least partially enclose a second portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, each of the at least two segments configured with the actuator apparatus operable so as to in the absence of any intermediate component between the actuator apparatus and the body part when the device is fitted on the body part cause each of the at least two segments to apply a basic pressure profile to the body part; and a pressure transition system adapted to be positioned between a surface defined by the first and second segments and a surface of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, wherein the pressure transition system comprises a plurality of deformable flexible chambers containing a flexible medium, wherein the pressure transition system extends over the first and second portions of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, wherein the pressure transition system is adapted to redistribute the basic pressure profiles between the first and second segments, in such a manner that movement of the first segment under control of the actuator apparatus causes the pressure transition system to apply a first adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the second portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part and movement of the second segment under control of the actuator apparatus causes the pressure transition system to apply a second adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the first portion of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, and wherein each of the first adjusted pressure profile and the second adjusted pressure profile are different from each of a first basic pressure profile of the first segment and a second basic pressure profile of the second segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for exerting an external pressure to a human body part, the device comprising:
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a pressure transition system defined by at least a first surface and a second surface, the second surface to be positioned adjacent a body part, wherein the pressure transition system comprises a plurality of deformable flexible chambers containing a flexible medium; and an actuator apparatus controllable in response to control signals from a control unit and associated with at least one elongate element comprising at least a first portion adapted to at least partially encircle at least a first portion of the body part and a second portion adapted to at least partially encircle at least a second portion of the body part, wherein the actuator apparatus causes tangential movement of at least the first and second portions of the at least one elongate element to exert a radial pressure on the body part, wherein the pressure transition system extends underneath the actuator apparatus associated with the at least one elongate element and over the first and second portions of the body part when the device is fitted on the body part, and wherein the pressure transition system is adapted to redistribute the radial pressure applied by the actuator apparatus associated with the at least one elongate element, wherein movement of the first portion of the at least one elongate element under control of the actuator apparatus causes the pressure transition system to apply at least a distributed pressure to at least a part of the second portion of the body part and movement of the second portion of the at least one elongate element under control of the actuator apparatus causes the pressure transition system to apply a distributed pressure to at least a part of the first portion of the body part. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification