Adjustable Skin Closure Panels for Irregular Ulcers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wound closure methods, such as staples and sutures, are inadequate for irregular wounds and incisions, leading to scarring, difficulty in adjustment, and issues with rigidity and adhesion loss in liquid glue, while current devices fail to provide optimal healing and adjustability.

Innovation Solution

A closure device comprising flexible adhesive panels with lateral ties that can be adjusted to apply compressive force, featuring a vertical and lateral elasticity gradient, and removable liners to accommodate various wound shapes and sizes, allowing for incremental tension adjustment and improved healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If staples or sutures are used to close wounds, then wound closure is achieved, but scarring and difficulty in adjustment occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure effectivenessVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device employs elastic components that enable dynamic adjustment of closure force. The elastic member can be compressed to tighten the closure or relaxed to loosen it, allowing the device to adapt to changing wound conditions and healing requirements without requiring removal and reapplication of the closure mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows modification of the closure force parameter through compression or expansion of the elastic member. This enables adjustment of the mechanical stress applied to the wound edges, optimizing conditions for healing while allowing for adaptation to different wound sizes and healing stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If liquid glue is used to close wounds, then closure is achieved, but rigidity and adhesion loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure effectivenessVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device utilizes a flexible adhesive panel that conformally contacts the wound surface and surrounding skin. This flexible film approach allows the adhesive to maintain contact and bonding even when the skin moves or expands, preventing adhesion loss while avoiding the rigidity problems of cured liquid glue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines flexible adhesive materials with elastic mechanical components to create a composite closure system. The adhesive provides bonding while the elastic component provides adjustable mechanical closure, working together to maintain both adhesion strength and closure effectiveness without the drawbacks of either material alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If compression is applied to reduce separation distance, then wound closure is improved, but blistering and adhesion loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure effectivenessVSAvoidblistering and adhesion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is positioned to apply compression locally to the separation gap between wound edges, while the flexible adhesive panel distributes forces across a larger area. This localized compression approach closes the wound without concentrating stress that would cause blistering or adhesion loss at the periphery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible adhesive panel acts as a cushioning layer between the compression mechanism and the skin. This cushioning prevents direct transmission of excessive forces to the skin surface, preventing blistering and adhesion loss while still allowing effective compression of the wound closure gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The device provides effective closure and healing of ulcers and irregular skin defects by minimizing scarring, reducing blistering, and promoting healing through adjustable compressive force and elasticity gradients, suitable for various wound types.

Implementation Method 1

adhering a first panel of a closure device to skin on a first side of an ulcer or skin defect, adhering a second panel of the closure device to skin on a second side of the ulcer or skin defect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The device can have a lateral elasticity gradient of increasing elasticity from an inner edge thereof to an outer edge thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250352209A1Closure Apparatuses and Methods for Ulcers and Irregular Skin Defects

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 ZIPLINE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Devices, methods, and systems for treating an ulcer or skin defect are disclosed. First and second base panels of a closure device are adhered to first and second sides of the ulcer or skin defect, respectively. Lateral ties couple the first and second base panels together and provide a predetermined separation distance or lateral gap between the inner edges of the panel. The predetermined separation distance or lateral gap is sufficient to treat the most common sized ulcers or skin defects, for example, accommodating an ulcer or skin defect with a minor axis of at most 50 mm. The lateral ties have their ends fixed to one panel and their opposite ends adjustably and reversibly attached to the other panel so that the separation distance can be reduced or adjusted to provide a lateral compressive force to the ulcer or skin defect, thereby promoting healing.