Curved Bridge Component for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current negative-pressure therapy systems for tissue treatment lack efficient management of fluid and pressure distribution, leading to suboptimal wound healing and potential discomfort due to localized pressure points from pressure-sensing pathways.

Innovation Solution

A bridge component with a polymeric film structure, featuring sealed spaces and fluid pathways, is designed to manage fluid and pressure distribution, incorporating a curved shape to keep pressure-sensing pathways away from the skin, reducing localized pressure points and enhancing wound care.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pressure-sensing pathways are included in the bridge to monitor pressure accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but localized pressure points cause discomfort and potential tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure monitoring accuracyVSAvoidlocalized pressure points
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge is divided into multiple sealed spaces separated by barriers, with pressure-sensing pathways positioned in specific segments away from direct skin contact areas. This segmentation allows pressure monitoring while distributing mechanical loads to prevent localized pressure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge is designed with a curved configuration that transitions from a planar structure to a three-dimensional form, positioning pressure-sensing pathways in elevated regions away from the skin surface. This dimensional change eliminates direct contact between sensing pathways and tissue while maintaining pressure transmission through the sealed spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the bridge uses a rigid structure to maintain pressure-sensing pathways away from skin, then localized pressure points are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalized pressure pointsVSAvoidbridge structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge employs flexible polymeric films and membranes to form sealed spaces and barriers. These flexible structures maintain the curvature and positioning of pressure-sensing pathways away from skin while accommodating tissue movement and maintaining seal integrity without requiring rigid support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge incorporates curved configurations throughout its structure, using arc-shaped barriers and sealed spaces that naturally position pressure-sensing pathways away from direct skin contact. This curvature is achieved through the geometry of the sealed spaces and the configuration of barriers, eliminating the need for additional rigid support elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3829506B1Devices and methods for preventing localized pressure points in distribution components for tissue therapy
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3829506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3829506B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3829506B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatuses and dressing components for tissue treatment with negative pressure and methods of making and using the dressings and dressing components are disclosed. For example, an apparatus for managing fluid from a tissue site may comprise at least two fluid pathways formed along the length of the apparatus. The apparatus may have at least one hinge line spanning along the length of the apparatus between at the at least two fluid pathways, and the apparatus may be curved about the hinge line. Some examples of the apparatus may comprise multiple layers assembled in a stacked relationship, which may be bonded together using weld lines to define at least two fluid pathways along the length of the apparatus. In some examples, the apparatus may be curved about the weld lines.