Inflatable wearable deep pressure therapy systems
The present invention relates to a deep pressure therapy system. The system includes an inflatable component and a shell component. The inflatable component can be removably attached to the shell component to form a wearable assembly. The inflatable component is shaped to conform to a portion of a body of an individual, and includes an inflatable bladder having an inlet port and an outlet port for passage of a fluid. The bladder includes a plurality of depressions which are generally evenly-distributed over a portion of the bladder. In some embodiments, the depressions are circular welds. In some embodiments, the depressions are three-dimensional welds. The bladder may additionally include weld strips. The shell component may include one or more stretchable strips which are expandable as safety feature.
1. A deep pressure therapy system that uses pressure to produce a therapeutic calming effect on a person with a medical condition, comprising:
an inflatable component and a shell component;
wherein the inflatable component is removably attachable to the shell component to form a wearable assembly;
wherein the inflatable component is shaped to conform to a portion of a body of a person;
wherein the inflatable component comprises an inflatable bladder;
the bladder comprising a plurality of depressions and a plurality of weld strips, wherein the weld strips are configured to allow the bladder to conform to a portion of the body of the person when the bladder is inflated, and wherein the inflatable component comprises a central portion for covering the person's torso, two shoulder portions for covering the person's shoulders and two waist portions for covering the person's waist, such that pressure is applied to the back, sides, and shoulder regions of the person's torso, but not directly on the stomach or chest of the person.
2. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of depressions are generally evenly-distributed over a portion of the bladder.
3. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of depressions are generally evenly-distributed over a substantial portion of the bladder.
4. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the depressions are created by welding.
5. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the depressions comprise circular welds.
6. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the depressions comprise extruded three-dimensional welds.
7. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the depressions comprise holes.
8. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the depressions permit the inflatable component to exert generally evenly-distributed pressure to said portion of the body.
9. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein both the inflatable component and the shell component comprise hook-and-loop fasteners which allow the inflatable component and the shell component to be removably assembled together.
10. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 9 , wherein the assembly of the inflatable component and the shell component via the hook-and-loop fasteners allow the wearable assembly to be adjustable in length and/or width.
11. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the bladder has an inner side for facing the body and an outer side for facing away from the body, and the inner side is more stretchable than the outer side.
12. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the bladder comprises a single chamber.
13. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the bladder comprises multiple chambers which are connected.
14. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the bladder comprises multiple chambers which are separated.
15. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the inflatable component has an inner side for facing the body and comprises a fabric mesh on the inner side of the inflatable component.
16. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the shell component comprises one or more stretchable strips which are expandable when the shell component is assembled with the inflatable component and the inflatable component is inflated.
17. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , further comprising an exterior component such that when the inflatable component, the shell component and the exterior component are assembled into a wearable assembly, the exterior component conceals the inflatable component and the shell component from view.
18. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , further comprising a pump for inflating the bladder.
19. A deep pressure therapy system according to claim 1 , wherein the weld strips are located and shaped to exert different amounts of pressure on various areas of the person's torso.