Clamshell Wound Closure Device with Pressure Bar and Ratcheting Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound closure methods, such as tourniquets and hemostatic agents, are inefficient and unreliable in emergency situations, particularly in securing drainage tubes, leading to increased blood loss and risk of infection due to instability and ease of removal.
Innovation Solution
A clamshell-type wound closure device with pivotally movable opposing members, skin-penetrating needles, and a pressure bar that applies pressure perpendicular to the wound, maintained by a ratcheting mechanism, to rapidly approximate skin edges and secure wounds, including anchoring medical instruments like drainage tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tourniquets are used for wound closure, then bleeding control is achieved, but the device is slow and difficult to maneuver and place around the extremity
Solution Approach 1:
The wound closure device is divided into two opposing members that can be independently manipulated, allowing one member to be used for piercing while the other applies pressure. This segmentation enables easier placement compared to traditional tourniquets while maintaining effective bleeding control through the coordinated action of both members.
2Productivity
If hemostatic agents are applied to accelerate clotting, then clot formation is sped up, but the granular material is awkward to apply in windy environment and subject to movement during extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines mechanical pressure application with hemostatic agent delivery in a single integrated system. The opposing members create compression force while simultaneously holding the hemostatic agent in place against the wound, eliminating the instability and movement problems associated with separate granular agent application.
3Productivity
If granular hemostatic material is used, then clotting is accelerated, but the material is very exothermic and can cause burns
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing member structure acts as an intermediary between the hemostatic agent and the wound, distributing the compression force evenly and preventing direct contact between the exothermic granular material and the skin. This intermediary structure allows clotting acceleration while eliminating the burn hazard through controlled heat distribution.
4Ease of operation
If drainage tubes are inserted for pre-hospital drainage, then fluid drainage is achieved, but the tubes are very easy to remove when not anchored properly
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the anchoring function from the drainage tube itself and provides it through the opposing member structure. The piercing members create secure attachment points in the tissue that hold the tube in place, separating the drainage function from the anchoring function and ensuring stable tube placement even during patient movement.
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 effectively minimizes blood loss, stabilizes wounds, and securely anchors medical instruments, allowing for safe transport and treatment while preventing infection by creating a secure seal that remains in place during patient movement.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure bar which applies pressure substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the wound
Implementation Method 2
The device may be maintained in a closed position by a biasing means, by a ratcheting mechanism, by friction or some other mechanical configuration
Implementation Method 3
The device comprises needles which puncture the skin edges when the device is closed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a wound closure device including: (a) a first opposing member and a second opposing member disposed on opposing sides of a central axis, each resiliently moveable between a closed position and open position relative to each other, each of the opposing members having a distal edge; (b) skin penetrating means for anchoring the device; (c) a pressure bar along each distal edge; (d) releasable locking means for biasing or maintaining the device in the closed position; and optionally (e) an accessory component.