Apertured Hydrogel Dressing for Percutaneous Device Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Percutaneous devices, such as diabetic pumps and Huber needles, cause skin irritation and increase infection risks due to prolonged use, with existing dressings failing to adequately address comfort and microbial growth inhibition.

Innovation Solution

An apertured hydrogel medical dressing with antimicrobial properties and adhesive capabilities, featuring a base sheet that forms a tab to secure the dressing and prevent adhesion to the injection mechanism, while allowing for easy removal and providing comfort and antimicrobial protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a percutaneous device is used for extended period, then fluid delivery function is maintained, but skin irritation and infection risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of device useVSAvoidskin irritation and infection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hydrogel dressing as an intermediary barrier between the percutaneous device and the skin. This hydrogel layer provides a protective interface that reduces direct contact between the device and skin, thereby minimizing skin irritation and infection risk while allowing extended device use to continue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the dressing by using hydrogel material with specific properties (moisture content, pH, antimicrobial agents). These parameter changes enable the dressing to provide enhanced comfort and antimicrobial protection, addressing the harmful effects of extended device use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a dressing is applied to protect skin around percutaneous device, then infection risk decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection protectionVSAvoiddressing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated hydrogel dressing layer. This layer simultaneously provides skin protection, moisture management, antimicrobial action, and comfort, eliminating the need for separate complex multi-layer structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If hydrocolloid material is used in dressing, then exudate absorption is improved, but material remaining on skin increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexudate absorption capacityVSAvoidmaterial remaining on skin
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional hydrocolloid to hydrogel, which has superior absorption characteristics and can be removed more easily from skin. This parameter change maintains exudate absorption capacity while reducing the amount of material that remains on the skin after use

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 apertured hydrogel dressing enhances comfort and reduces microbial growth at the insertion site, minimizing skin irritation and infection risks by providing securement and antimicrobial protection for percutaneous devices.

Implementation Method 1

the hydrogel contains antimicrobial properties to help inhibit microbial growth at the site of insertion of the device into the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 2

a hydrogel can have adhesive properties to help in securing the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive properties: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2658492B1An apertured hydrogel
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2658492B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2658492B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP2658492B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

Disclosed is an apertured hydrogel that is used in connection with an insertion device to provide comfort at the site of entry into the skin. In one embodiment, the hydrogel contains antimicrobial properties to help inhibit microbial growth at the site of insertion of the device into the skin. In the invention the apertured hydrogel is provided with a medical dressing and comprises a hydrogel having an upper surface and a lower surface, a film covering the upper surface of the hydrogel, a base sheet releasably covering to the lower surface of the hydrogel, an aperture in the film and hydrogel from the upper surface to the lower surface of the hydrogel, wherein the base sheet extends beyond the hydrogel to form a tab.