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).