Collapsible Wound Drainage System for Closed Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical site wound management technologies, including surgical drains and negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems, often fail to provide comprehensive suction and irrigation over the entire wound area, leading to incomplete healing and the need for re-opening wounds to remove drainage systems, which can cause discomfort and complications.
Innovation Solution
A combination of closed-suction drains and NPWT systems with an elongate shaft and a removal element, such as a helical braid, that allows for deep wound suction, irrigation, and antibiotic delivery without the need for re-opening the wound, using a device that includes a wound dressing and a mechanism for axial collapse and retraction of the drainage system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical drains are used to remove fluids from deep wounds, then fluid removal effectiveness is improved, but the device leaves a relatively large dead space between tissues when removed
Solution Approach 1:
The wound dressing is nested within the collapsible drainage system, which itself is contained within the elongate shaft. During removal, the entire assembly collapses sequentially, with the dressing collapsing first, then the drainage system collapsing around it, allowing complete evacuation through the closed wound without leaving dead space
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system transitions from an expanded state during operation to a collapsed state during removal. The collapsible design allows the system to dynamically change its volume, enabling it to occupy the full wound space during fluid removal while collapsing to a compact form for easy extraction through the closed wound
2Reliability
If NPWT dressings are placed at the wound surface, then wound closure is promoted, but suction and irrigation fail to cover the entire wound area
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends from the two-dimensional wound surface into the third dimension of wound depth. The elongate shaft with wound dressing at its distal end reaches deep into the wound cavity, while the NPWT dressing at the surface provides broad surface coverage, creating a three-dimensional suction network that covers the entire wound volume
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple functional components: the NPWT dressing at the surface for broad coverage, the elongate shaft for deep penetration, and the collapsible drainage system for fluid removal. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function while working together to achieve complete wound coverage
3Reliability
If the wound is closed around the drain, then healing is promoted, but re-opening the wound is necessary to remove the drainage system
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible design allows the drainage system to dynamically transition from an expanded operational state to a collapsed removal state. This dynamic collapse reduces the device profile enough to be extracted through the closed wound tract without requiring surgical re-opening
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of removing the device by pulling it straight out in its expanded state (which would require re-opening the wound), the system inverts the removal approach by first collapsing the device in-situ, then extracting the compacted form through the closed wound
4Reliability
If closed-suction drains are used, then fluid removal is effective, but the system lacks integrated irrigation and antibiotic delivery capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple treatment modalities into a single integrated device: closed-suction drainage for fluid removal, NPWT for wound closure promotion, irrigation capability for wound cleaning, and antibiotic delivery for infection prevention. All these functions are combined in one system that can be inserted and removed as a single unit
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system is designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating channels and mechanisms that can perform suction, irrigation, and antibiotic delivery. The elongate shaft and collapsible structure provide a platform that supports multiple therapeutic functions throughout the wound healing process
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
This solution enables more complete wound closure, improved healing by promoting blood flow and granulation tissue formation, and reduces patient discomfort by eliminating the need for repeated surgical interventions to remove drainage systems.
Implementation Method 1
A sealed wound dressing fills the wound, attaching to a vacuum pump to apply reduced pressure, such as sub-atmospheric pressure. The vacuum acts as a suction device, removing fluid from the wound and drawing the edges of the wound inward.
Implementation Method 2
The negative pressure from the suction source removes exudates from the cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for treatment of post-operative surgical site wounds. The device includes a housing, a spool configured to rotate relative to the housing, and a catheter coupled to the spool. Rotating the spool in one direction winds the catheter about a column disposed on the spool, and enables the catheter to be retracted from the closed wound. In some embodiments, the device further includes a wound dressing disposed about a distal end of the catheter. In some embodiments, retracting the catheter from a closed wound enables a wound dressing to be retracted from the closed wound.