Deformable Pneumatic Accumulator for NPWT Pressure Spike Smoothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current negative-pressure therapy systems face challenges in efficiently managing pressure spikes and leaks, leading to increased runtime of the negative-pressure source and reduced electrical efficiency, as well as insufficient storage capacity for negative pressure.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a pneumatic accumulator with a small volume and deformable members between the negative-pressure source and the dressing, which smooths pressure waves, provides additional negative-pressure storage, and reduces the volume of the accumulator under negative pressure, allowing for reduced runtime of the negative-pressure source and increased electrical efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic accumulator with large volume is used to smooth pressure waves and provide storage capacity, then pressure spike reduction and negative-pressure storage are improved, but device complexity and system size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable diaphragm that dynamically changes the accumulator chamber volume in response to pressure variations. Under normal operating conditions, the diaphragm maintains a compact configuration, but automatically expands to absorb pressure spikes and stores negative pressure, providing dynamic volume adjustment without requiring a large fixed-volume accumulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable diaphragm changes the physical state and volume of the accumulator chamber based on pressure parameters. When pressure spikes occur, the diaphragm deforms to increase volume and absorb the spike; when negative pressure is present, the diaphragm deformstO reduce volume and store pressure, effectively using parameter changes to resolve the size-capacity contradiction.
2Reliability
If the negative-pressure source runs longer to handle leaks and pressure spikes, then system reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic accumulator performs preliminary action by storing negative pressure in advance during normal operating conditions. When leaks or pressure spikes occur, this pre-stored negative pressure is immediately released to compensate, eliminating the need for the negative-pressure source to run continuously and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator creates a copy or backup of the negative pressure function, independent of the main negative-pressure source. This backup system handles leaks and pressure spikes without requiring the primary source to operate continuously, effectively decoupling reliability from continuous energy consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid accumulator chamber is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to pressure variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid accumulator chamber with a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can deform elastically in response to pressure variations. This flexible structure maintains sufficient manufacturing precision while providing the adaptability needed to smooth pressure waves and respond to changing system conditions, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
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 pneumatic accumulator effectively reduces pressure spikes, enhances negative-pressure storage capacity, and increases electrical efficiency by smoothing pressure waves and storing negative pressure, thereby optimizing the therapy system's performance.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable portion may deform under an application of negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
The pneumatic accumulator can smooth a pressure wave created by the negative-pressure source
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic accumulator may be fluidly coupled between a negative-pressure source and a dressing of a therapy system. The pneumatic accumulator may have a small volume and one or more deformable members that can deform under negative pressure, reducing the volume of the pneumatic accumulator. The pneumatic accumulator can smooth a pressure wave created by the negative-pressure source. The pneumatic accumulator may also provide additional negative-pressure storage capacity to the therapy system. For example, if a leak develops at the dressing, some of the negative pressure stored in the pneumatic actuator may be supplied to the dressing. The pneumatic accumulator may allow for reduced runtime of the negative-pressure source, leading to increased electrical efficiency.