3.3 Prototyping
The first part of the prototype was determined by the use of medical
silicone elastomer sheet. The second part was defined by the mechanical
compression system and was arranged on the first part. This mechanism
was composed by a spring between two rigid bulkheads. The first one was
positioned under the spring and was affixed over the first part. The
second was movable on the spring, which slid vertically downwards,
deforming and exerting force on the first part. The therapeutic range of
pressure was safely between 28 and 35 mmHg or 0.038 to 0.048
kg/cm2 (Ghassemi et al., 2015; Keller,
Krenzer-Scheidemantel, & Meyer, 2011; Sharp et al., 2016; Tejiram et
al., 2016). The modulus of elasticity (E) of the spring material was
considered, and the higher its value, the greater its rigidity or the
ability to withstand deformations, and consequently the greater the
force for the complete deformation of the spring (deflection - ƌ). The
third part was composed by the containment system of the other two
parts, so as to unite them in a single device. In addition, it
integrated a fixation system on the patient’s skin. The containment
system was designed in synthetic mesh material, involving the entire
second part, on the movable bulkhead. Around this synthetic mesh,
bypassing it, a synthetic resin was installed flexible and adherent for
the attachment to the skin. In this way, the dimensions of the device
were added approximately 1.5 cm, determining it in its final
configuration, approximately 10.0 x 7.0 cm.
4. Results
4.1. Anteriority Search
The Anterior Search found 11 documents evidencing patented devices that
would act in a similar manner to that proposed by the present study.
Each technical report was read in full and compared regarding: material
in contact with the scar; compression mechanism; device containment
system; skin fixation; and, type of therapy performed (Table 1).