Antimicrobial Wound Dressing with Compressed Contact Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wound dressings face issues with antimicrobial agent concentration, distortion when wet, and microorganism repopulation, leading to infection risks and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A method involving compressing a wound contact layer to 30-60% of its original width, attaching it to an absorption layer with a porous adhesive, and applying an antimicrobial agent across the contact layer to create a conformable, absorbent, and antimicrobial dressing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wound contact layer is made in the form of an open cell foam to allow exudate management, then the absorbency and breathability are improved, but the layer distorts and curls when wet with wound exudate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexudate management capabilityVSAvoiddimensional stability when wet
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by compressing the wound contact layer to a thickness of 30-60% of its original thickness before application. This compression alters the physical state of the foam, reducing its tendency to expand and distort when exposed to wound exudate, while maintaining the open cell structure necessary for exudate management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-compressing the wound contact layer during manufacturing or storage before the dressing is applied to the wound. This preliminary compression ensures that when the dressing contacts wound exudate, the layer is less prone to sudden expansion and distortion, maintaining dimensional stability from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If an antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the wound dressing at high concentration to prevent infection, then the antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of manufacturing and potential skin irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection prevention capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous materials by incorporating the antimicrobial agent into the open cell foam structure of the wound contact layer. The porous structure allows for even distribution of the antimicrobial agent throughout the layer, achieving effective concentration without requiring complex manufacturing processes or high local concentrations that could cause irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration and distribution of the antimicrobial agent within the compressed foam structure. The compression process facilitates uniform dispersion of the agent at effective concentrations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness and reducing potential for localized irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If the wound contact layer is compressed to reduce distortion when wet, then the dimensional stability is improved, but the comfort and breathability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stability when wetVSAvoidcomfort and breathability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by compressing the wound contact layer to a specific thickness range of 30-60% of the original thickness. This controlled compression maintains the open cell structure and porosity necessary for breathability and comfort, while sufficiently reducing the layer's tendency to expand and distort when exposed to wound exudate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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 dressing effectively prevents distortion, maintains contact with the skin, reduces infection risk, and promotes wound healing by rapid antimicrobial action and exudate management.

Implementation Method 1

The materials used to make the wound dressings act to absorb the blood and/or other bodily fluids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

attaching the wound contact layer to an absorption layer using an adhesive in the form of a porous layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3177244B2Wound dressing
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 MEDTRADE PROD
  • EP3177244B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3177244B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3177244B2 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to wound dressings. In particular, the invention relates to antimicrobial wound dressings, methods of making the same and uses of the same. The wound dressing of the present invention comprises a wound contact layer and an absorption layer, wherein the wound contact layer comprises at least one antimicrobial agent and wherein the wound contact layer is compressed and/or wherein the wound contact layer has a density of greater than 0.06 g/cm3. The wound dressing of the present invention provides an absorbent, conformable and anti-microbial medical device that may be used in a variety of medical situations, including post and/or pre-operative.