Conformable Wound Dressing with Segmented Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current negative-pressure therapy systems for wound treatment lack conformability and adaptability to complex tissue sites, which can lead to discomfort, shearing forces, and hindered healing, especially when dealing with irregularly shaped wounds or areas requiring tissue growth promotion.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conformable dressing with discrete manifold members and an expandable carrier, coupled by an attachment device, creates a sealed space for reduced pressure application, allowing for independent movement and conformability to complex tissue geometries, and includes optional features for enhanced fluid management and tissue growth promotion through instillation therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional rigid dressing structure is used, then structural stability is maintained, but conformability to complex tissue geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dressing is divided into multiple discrete manifold members (e.g., 3-10 individual manifolds) rather than a single rigid structure. Each manifold member can independently conform to tissue contours while maintaining structural integrity through their distributed arrangement and connection to the carrier layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier layer serves as a flexible substrate that allows the discrete manifold members to move and conform independently. The carrier provides structural support while maintaining flexibility, enabling the dressing to adapt to complex wound geometries without compromising the stability of the manifold members.
2Device complexity
If a single rigid manifold structure is used, then fluid distribution control is simplified, but adaptability to irregular wound shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution system is segmented into multiple discrete manifold members distributed across the wound surface. Each manifold member receives and distributes fluid independently, allowing the system to maintain relatively simple individual component design while achieving complex overall adaptability to irregular wound geometries through their distributed arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discrete manifold members are allowed to move independently, then conformability to tissue sites is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier layer acts as a flexible film that provides a common support structure for all discrete manifold members. It allows each manifold to move and conform independently to tissue contours while the carrier maintains overall structural stability and prevents excessive displacement of individual manifolds.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the dressing into multiple independently movable manifold members connected to a stable carrier, the system achieves conformability through individual movement while maintaining overall structural stability through the distributed architecture and carrier support.
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 enhances wound healing by maintaining a sealed environment for negative-pressure therapy, reducing shearing forces, and promoting tissue growth, while accommodating complex anatomies without causing discomfort or dislodgement, thus improving treatment efficacy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier is expandable between a relaxed state and an expanded state, wherein a separation distance between the perimeter wall of a first of the plurality of discrete manifold members and the perimeter wall of a second of the plurality of discrete manifold members is greater in the expanded state than in the relaxed state
Implementation Method 2
The system comprises an attachment device comprising a plurality of separate points each positioned between the first surface of each of the discrete manifold members and the second side of the carrier, wherein the first surface of each of the discrete manifold members is coupled to the second side of the carrier by the attachment device
Implementation Method 3
a sealing member covering the conformable dressing to create a sealed space at the tissue site, and a reduced pressure source coupled in fluid communication with the sealed space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
In some examples, a dressing filler for treating a tissue site may include a plurality of filler elements and a tissue interface layer. Each of the filler elements may include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and separated from the first surface by a thickness. The tissue interface layer may include a first side configured to be positioned facing the tissue site and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The first surface of each of the filler elements may be coupled to the second side of the tissue interface layer.