Compressible Pump Indicator for Consistent Wound Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current reduced pressure treatment systems are not viable for low-severity wounds due to high costs, complexity, and the need for trained personnel, limiting accessibility and mobility, and lack a user-friendly method to maintain desired pressure levels.

Innovation Solution

A reduced pressure apparatus with a compressible pump system that includes a variable volume chamber and a fixed volume chamber, allowing manual actuation and pressure feedback indicators to ensure consistent pressure delivery and user awareness of pressure levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex reduced pressure system is used, then pressure delivery capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure delivery capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a compressible pump mechanism for pressure generation, a separate indicator mechanism for pressure monitoring, and a manifold assembly for pressure distribution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable pressure delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator mechanism is designed to automatically display pressure levels without requiring external power sources, electronic controls, or trained personnel interpretation. The visual indicator provides self-explanatory feedback that enables users to self-monitor and self-adjust pressure delivery, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated pressure control is used, then pressure consistency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure consistencyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a visual indicator that provides immediate feedback to users about current pressure levels. This feedback mechanism enables users to manually adjust the compressible pump to maintain desired pressure consistency, combining simple user operation with reliable pressure control through intuitive visual information rather than complex automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex electronic or automated pressure control mechanisms with a simple mechanical compressible pump and visual indicator. This substitution maintains pressure consistency through manual mechanical action while significantly improving ease of operation, as users can directly manipulate the pump without dealing with electronic interfaces, sensors, or automated control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Weight of moving object

If a portable reduced pressure device is used, then mobility is improved, but pressure delivery capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidpressure delivery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump mechanism utilizes a compressible pump body that can be flexed and deformed during operation. This flexible design allows the device to be compact and portable while still generating effective reduced pressure through the compression and expansion cycles of the flexible pump chamber, eliminating the need for bulky rigid pressure generation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables affordable, accessible, and user-friendly reduced pressure treatment for low-severity wounds by simplifying system operation and providing consistent pressure delivery, improving wound healing through efficient fluid management and user feedback mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

compressing a variable volume chamber having a variable volume from an uncompressed position to a compressed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

An indicator is disposed on at least one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion, the indicator being exposed when the first casing portion is in the fully uncompressed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisual indication through position change:

Data Source

PatentUS8986267B2Reduced pressure indicator for a reduced pressure source

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A reduced pressure apparatus includes a first casing portion and a second casing portion slidably coupled to the first casing portion such that the first casing portion is compressible into a plurality of positions relative to the second casing portion. The plurality of positions includes a fully compressed position and a fully uncompressed position. An indicator is disposed on at least one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion, the indicator being exposed when the first casing portion is in the fully uncompressed position.