Alginate String Wound Filler for Negative Pressure Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound fillers in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) are not resorbable, leading to the need for frequent dressing changes, which can cause trauma and infection risks, especially in deep and complex wounds.
Innovation Solution
A bioresorbable multivalent cation alginate string wound filler composition with a durometer equivalent of 20-70 shore, capable of forming a porous mesh and remaining porous under negative pressure, which can be deployed using spray applicators or syringes and is designed to be bioresorbed after 14 days, eliminating the need for dressing removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-resorbable wound fillers are used in NPWT, then the wound can be filled and treated, but frequent dressing changes are required causing trauma and infection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the wound filler by using calcium alginate instead of traditional non-resorbable materials. This parameter change enables the filler to be resorbable in the wound environment, eliminating the need for frequent dressing changes and reducing trauma and infection risks associated with repeated wound openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium alginate wound filler performs self-service by automatically resorbing in the wound environment over time. This self-resorbable property eliminates the need for manual removal through frequent dressing changes, allowing the wound to heal without repeated traumatic openings and reducing infection risks.
2Ease of operation
If traditional wound dressings are used, then the wound can be covered, but deep and complex wounds require frequent opening and replacement increasing trauma risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of wound filler persistence by using resorbable calcium alginate that degrades over time in the wound environment. This allows deep and complex wounds to be filled and covered without requiring frequent opening and replacement, thereby reducing wound trauma while maintaining adequate coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium alginate filler provides self-service by maintaining wound coverage and then automatically resorbing in situ. This eliminates the need for repeated manual interventions to open and replace dressings in deep wounds, reducing trauma while ensuring continuous protection during the healing process.
3Quantity of substance
If non-resorbable fillers are used, then the wound can be filled, but the risk of infection increases due to frequent dressing changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biodegradability parameter of the wound filler by selecting calcium alginate, which is naturally resorbable in the body. This parameter change allows the filler to persist long enough to support wound healing while ultimately being broken down and absorbed, eliminating the need for frequent dressing changes that would otherwise increase infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium alginate filler performs self-service by providing sustained wound filling and then automatically resorbing through biological processes. This eliminates the need for repeated dressing changes that expose the wound to infection risks, while maintaining adequate filler presence throughout the healing period.
4Ease of manufacture
If resorbable materials are used, then dressing changes are reduced, but the material must maintain structural integrity under negative pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the wound filler by formulating calcium alginate with appropriate cross-linking and density to achieve a durometer of 20-70 shore. This parameter adjustment ensures the material maintains sufficient structural integrity to withstand negative pressure during NPWT while retaining its resorbable properties that reduce dressing change frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulation by combining calcium alginate with cross-linking agents and potentially other biocompatible components to create a wound filler that balances resorbability with mechanical strength. This composite approach allows the material to maintain structural integrity under negative pressure while ultimately being resorbable, reducing the need for frequent dressing changes.
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 alginate string composition effectively reduces the need for frequent dressing changes, promotes wound healing by maintaining porosity under negative pressure, and is suitable for deep and complex wounds without causing trauma or infection, enhancing the efficacy of NPWT.
Implementation Method 1
configured to be deployed into a wound to form a porous mesh
Implementation Method 2
the porous mesh is bioresorbed or dispersed from about 14 days after being deployed into the wound
Implementation Method 3
the alginate mixture is cross-linked with covalently bonding additives such as catechol boronic acid or through amidation with multi-amine functional groups
Implementation Method 4
In other embodiments, the alginate mixture is cross-linked with photoacids
Implementation Method 5
The wound filler composition may be dispensed from a spray applicator, a static mixer, a dual syringe, or a trigger applicator
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides multivalent cation alginate (e.g., calcium alginate) string wound filler compositions suitable for negative pressure wound therapy. In particular, wound filler compositions are well-suited to filling in complex wound sites, retain porosity when compressed under negative pressure, and resorbable/dispersible if left in contact with the wound beyond 7 days.