Dermal Patch Foam Barrier for Adhesion and Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional silicone-based adhesive layers in wound dressings hinder wound exudate absorption due to hydrophobic properties and low water vapor permeability, requiring high silicone usage, which increases costs and reduces absorbency and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A dermal patch with an open-cell foam layer featuring macropores spanned by a barrier layer formed from the foam itself, allowing for a thinner adhesive layer and improved adhesion without the need for additional films, preventing adhesive penetration and promoting wound exudate absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional silicone-based adhesive layer is used, then adhesion to skin is achieved, but absorption of wound exudate is hindered due to hydrophobic properties and low water vapor permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is designed with differentiated local properties: the first surface (contacting wound) maintains open-cell structure for absorption, while the second surface (contacting adhesive) has closed or partially closed cells to prevent adhesive penetration. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing adhesion functionality without compromising exudate absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining foam material with distinct cellular configurations in different regions. The foam layer acts as an intermediate composite structure between the adhesive layer and wound surface, providing both adhesion support and absorption capability simultaneously.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the silicone adhesive layer is made thinner to improve water vapor permeability, then absorption capability improves, but adhesion reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer serves as an intermediary structure between the adhesive and the wound. It provides a stable substrate for adhesive application while maintaining open pores toward the wound for vapor transmission. This intermediary structure allows thin adhesive layers to maintain both adhesion and permeability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional film layers are added to prevent adhesive penetration into the foam, then adhesive stability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the barrier function with the foam layer itself by controlling its cellular structure. Instead of adding a separate film layer, the foam's closed or partially closed cells on the adhesive-contacting surface provide the barrier function, integrating structure and function in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam layer utilizes controlled porosity to achieve different functions in different regions. The closed or partially closed cells prevent adhesive penetration while the open cells toward the wound maintain absorption and vapor transmission, eliminating the need for additional barrier films.
4Reliability
If high amounts of silicone are used to compensate for low adaptability, then adhesion improves, but costs increase and absorbency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer acts as a flexible, adaptable substrate that conforms to the wound surface geometry. This flexibility reduces the need for excessive silicone adhesive to achieve proper adhesion, as the foam itself provides adaptability while supporting a thinner, more controlled adhesive layer.
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 solution enables effective adhesion with reduced adhesive usage, maintaining high absorbency and water vapor permeability, preventing tissue ingrowth, and ensuring easy removal and repositioning of the wound dressing.
Implementation Method 1
polyurethane foams used for wound care generally have an open cell structure, giving them a high absorbency and allowing for rapid absorption of the wound exudate
Implementation Method 2
A disadvantage of the use of conventional silicone-based adhesive layers is that they make absorption of the wound exudate difficult because of their hydrophobic properties
Data Source
AI summary
A dermal patch includes: an open-cell foam layer; and an adhesive layer arranged thereon and intended for contact with skin. At least a side of the foam layer facing the adhesive layer has macropores whose cavities are spanned at least partially by a barrier layer formed from the foam layer.