Vascular compression is a technique used to assist blood circulation in immobile patients. The compression equipment consists of a pump and a series of valves which provide the necessary air pressure. Typically the compression device becomes an extension of the patient; the device and patient are inseparable when the device is being used.

One manufacturer of such equipment wisely considered noise issues early in the design process. Their design incorporated a small empty space inside the device that could be used to house an inlet silencer, if necessary. When noise tests indicated that the silencer would be required, the manufacturer asked the RH Lyon Division of Acentech to help with the design. Working within the allotted shape and volume constraints, we designed a muffler that provided up to 20 dB of attenuation, depending on the pump model.

Another manufacturer of these devices also used our expertise to help them design a conformal silencer. In that case, we were able to incorporate a muffler into the empty handle of the device, which was a beneficial design element, as it did not change the size or appearance of the unit. These two projects show how our expertise, when employed early on in the design process, can produce quiet product designs with minimal impact on the form and function of the device.