Abdominal Negative-Pressure Dressing With Closed-Loop Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative-pressure therapy systems lack effective closed-loop force management control, particularly for abdominal wounds, which can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes due to varying tissue conditions and edema changes.

Innovation Solution

Integration of strain sensors within or applied to the dressing, coupled with a control system that modulates closure forces by varying applied pressure based on real-time feedback, ensuring optimal strain management and wound healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If negative pressure is applied to abdominal wounds, then wound healing is promoted through tissue migration and blood flow improvement, but the varying tissue conditions and edema changes cause suboptimal treatment outcomes due to lack of force management control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment outcome consistencyVSAvoidadaptation to tissue changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Strain sensors are integrated into the dressing to provide real-time feedback on the forces applied to tissue. This feedback loop enables the control system to monitor and adjust negative pressure levels dynamically, ensuring consistent optimal forces are maintained despite variations in tissue conditions and edema changes throughout the healing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static negative pressure application to dynamic adjustment based on real-time strain measurements. The control system continuously modulates the negative pressure levels according to measured tissue response, allowing the therapy to adapt to changing tissue conditions while maintaining optimal healing forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If strain sensors are integrated into the dressing to measure forces, then precise control of closure forces is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce measurement accuracyVSAvoiddressing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Strain sensors are integrated directly into the dressing structure itself, merging the sensing function with the therapeutic dressing. This integration eliminates the need for separate external sensing equipment and allows direct measurement of forces at the tissue interface, achieving precise control while minimizing additional complexity through functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If real-time feedback control is implemented to maintain optimal strain levels, then wound healing efficacy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound healing rateVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a self-regulating control mechanism where strain sensors continuously monitor tissue forces and automatically adjust negative pressure levels to maintain optimal strain conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems, achieving improved healing efficacy through autonomous adaptation to tissue response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances wound healing by maintaining consistent strain levels, adapting to tissue changes, and providing precise control of negative pressure, thereby improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

the data may comprise changes in capacitance based on displacement of the sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a negative-pressure source configured to be fluidly coupled to the closure manifold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

the sensor may comprise an electroactive polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroactive polymer: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentEP3983028B1Abdominal negative-pressure therapy dressing with closed-loop force management control
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3983028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3983028B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3983028B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dressing for treating an open abdominal cavity with negative pressure. In some embodiment, the dressing may comprise a viscera contact layer capable of communicating a negative pressure to the viscera and capable of forming flow paths for a fluid through the contact layer; a fluid manifold capable of being disposed adjacent to the contact layer and capable of communicating a negative pressure to a tissue and capable of forming flow paths for a fluid; and a sensor capable of acquiring data associated with strain in one or more of the fluid manifold and the viscera contact layer