Conformable Suction Adapters for Kink-Free Wound Vacuum Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current negative pressure wound therapy systems face challenges in providing comfortable and effective connections to the wound site, often causing pressure ulcers and other complications due to the use of harder connectors.
Innovation Solution
The development of a reduced pressure appliance system utilizing fluidic connectors and suction adapters with 3D knitted or 3D fabric materials that are softer, kink-free, and conformable, allowing for easier application and reduced pressure points, along with a flexible drape and conduit system for efficient negative pressure delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If harder connectors are used to provide structural support and maintain negative pressure, then the structural integrity and pressure maintenance are improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and pressure ulcers are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible fluidic connectors made from soft, compliant materials that can maintain negative pressure while conforming to patient anatomy. These flexible connectors replace rigid structures with adaptable soft shells that distribute pressure evenly, preventing pressure ulcers while maintaining the necessary structural integrity for vacuum therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the connector materials, transitioning from hard, rigid materials to soft, compliant materials with appropriate durometer values. This parameter change allows the connectors to maintain negative pressure through material elasticity rather than rigid structure, thereby improving patient comfort and preventing tissue damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If softer, more conformable connectors are used to improve patient comfort, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but the ability to maintain negative pressure may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite material structures combining soft outer layers for patient comfort with internal reinforcement elements or specific material formulations that provide structural support. This composite approach allows the connector to be soft and conformable against patient tissue while internally maintaining the rigidity needed to sustain negative pressure effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connectors are designed with specific wall thicknesses and material properties that allow them to flex and conform to patient anatomy while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. The flexible shell design incorporates material selection and geometric configuration that enables negative pressure maintenance without requiring rigid structures.
3Reliability
If traditional rigid connectors are used to ensure connection stability, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of application deteriorates and application time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fluidic connectors are designed to be pre-formed and pre-shaped to fit common wound configurations, allowing for rapid application without complex assembly steps. The flexibility of the material enables the connectors to be easily molded to patient anatomy during application, significantly reducing application time while maintaining connection stability through proper material adhesion and sealing mechanisms.
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 system provides improved patient comfort, faster healing, and effective fluid management, maintaining negative pressure and flow rates even under weight or kinking, while minimizing the risk of pressure ulcers and other complications.
Implementation Method 1
connecting a source of negative pressure (such as a vacuum pump) to the cover in a manner so that an area of negative pressure is created under the cover in the area of the wound
Implementation Method 2
a 3D knitted or 3D fabric material located between these top and bottom layers and forming an elongate channel
Implementation Method 3
a suction adapter configured to deliver negative pressure to the wound
Implementation Method 4
a lower fluid passage in fluid communication with a source of negative pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a reduced pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters. Certain embodiments are directed to connectors used to connect fluid passage tube used in transmitting negative pressure to a fabric channel used in a suction adapter.