Absorbent Medical Body with Biocompatible Trigger for Controlled Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent medical bodies for wound fluid removal in body cavities cannot be repositioned once expanded, as they unfold uncontrollably upon contact with wound fluids, limiting their placement accuracy and requiring an overtube for insertion.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent medical body composed of a material that remains compressed upon contact with biocompatible liquids, allowing for controlled unfolding and repositioning, featuring a biocompatible material that dissolves or penetrates the absorbent body to maintain a compact form until optimal placement is achieved, then accelerates expansion for effective fluid absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the absorbent body is made to unfold quickly upon contact with wound fluids, then fluid absorption efficiency is improved, but the ability to reposition inside the body cavity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid absorption efficiencyVSAvoidrepositioning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent body transitions from a static compressed state during insertion to a dynamic expandable state for fluid absorption. The controlled unfolding mechanism allows the body to remain compressed during insertion for easy removal, then expand when flushed with biocompatible liquid to maximize fluid absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the absorbent body changes from compressed to expanded based on contact with biocompatible liquids. This parameter change enables the body to be inserted in a compact form and then activated for full absorption function when positioned correctly in the body cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If an overtube is used for insertion to control placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and insertion difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidinsertion system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the overtube from the insertion system. The absorbent body is designed to be inserted directly without requiring an overtube for protection or guidance, simplifying the insertion process while maintaining placement accuracy through the body's own structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent body is designed to be self-contained and self-guiding during insertion. Its compressed structure and biocompatible material properties enable direct insertion and positioning without requiring external assistance from an overtube or other insertion aids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the absorbent body is made repositionable, then adaptability is improved, but control over unfolding timing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidunfolding control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Biocompatible liquid serves as an intermediary trigger that controls the unfolding process. The absorbent body remains compressed until exposed to biocompatible liquid, which then initiates controlled unfolding. This intermediary mechanism allows repositioning during insertion, then ensures stable expansion only when the body is in its final position and exposed to body fluids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables precise placement and potential repositioning of the absorbent body within body cavities without an overtube, facilitating efficient wound fluid removal and prolonged use, with the ability to be reused and flushed for rapid expansion and fluid discharge.

Implementation Method 1

a material which holds the absorbent body together in a compressed form and can be removed or is removable upon contact with a biocompatible liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a biocompatible material that dissolves or penetrates the absorbent body to maintain a compact form until optimal placement is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP2370037B1Absorbent medical body, in particular for removing wound fluids from human and/or animal body cavities, and method for its production
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 AESCULAP AG
  • EP2370037B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an absorbent medical body (10; 20; 30), in particular for removing wound fluids from human and/or animal body cavities, comprising a material which holds the absorbent body (10; 20; 30) together in a compressed form and can be removed upon contact with a biocompatible liquid.