Detachable Pump for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems are cumbersome, heavy, and power-intensive due to long connection tubes, high-power vacuum sources, and large spent liquid containers, making them difficult to maneuver and portable, with potential for leakage and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A detachable pump with disposable components, comprising a top module with a motor set and a bottom module connected by a detachable mechanism, featuring a one-way valve and diaphragm element, reduces piping length and power requirements by allowing direct absorption of spent liquid by absorbent materials through dressings, enhancing portability and reducing system volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a high-power vacuum source is used to generate sufficient vacuuming force, then the vacuuming performance is improved, but the weight and power consumption of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical vacuum pump with an electrostatic pump that uses electrostatic fields to move fluids. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical components like motors and rotating parts, achieving sufficient vacuuming force through electrostatic attraction while dramatically reducing system weight and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high voltage at low current to generate electrostatic forces. This parameter transformation allows the system to achieve high vacuuming force through electrostatic field strength rather than mechanical power, reducing the overall power consumption and weight requirements
2Length of stationary object
If long connection tubes are used to connect the spent liquid container to the vacuum source, then the system coverage area is increased, but the risk of leakage and performance degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the long connection tube from the system by integrating the vacuum generation function directly at the wound site through the dressing. This removal of the connection tube completely eliminates the leakage risk associated with long tubing while maintaining system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic pump acts as an intermediary element that can be miniaturized and integrated within the dressing itself, serving as both the vacuum source and the connection interface, thereby eliminating the need for separate connection tubes
3Quantity of substance
If a large volume spent liquid container is used to store wound fluid, then the storage capacity is increased, but the system becomes bulkier and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a real-time evacuation system where the electrostatic pump continuously removes spent liquid from the wound site as it is produced. This self-service approach eliminates the need for large storage containers, as fluids are pumped away immediately, maintaining a compact system volume while providing adequate disposal capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic pump operates continuously to evacuate spent liquid, maintaining a steady-state condition where fluid removal keeps pace with fluid production. This continuous action prevents fluid accumulation, allowing the use of smaller containment volumes while maintaining adequate storage for the treatment duration
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 results in a lighter, less power-consuming NPWT system that is more portable and suitable for ambulatory patients, with reduced risk of leakage and contamination, while maintaining effective wound fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
the top elastic member is configured to be pushed by the motor set for enabling the resulting resilience of the top elastic member to counter with the resilience of the bottom elastic member in a manner that the diaphragm element is propelled for enabling the detachable pump to generate a vacuuming force
Implementation Method 2
at least an one-way valve installed at an end of the channel for preventing a spent liquid to flow in a direct toward the base
Implementation Method 3
the detachable pump comprises... for drawing spent liquid of a wound to be absorbed directly by the absorbent materials by way of the dressings
Implementation Method 4
drawing spent liquid of a wound to be absorbed directly by the absorbent materials by way of the dressings
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a detachable pump and a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system using the same. The detachable pump comprises: a top module, including a motor set and a top elastic member; and a bottom module, arranged beneath the top module in a manner that it is connected to the top module by a detachable connection mechanism and comprised of: a base configured with an inlet and an outlet; at least an one-way suction valve; at least an one-way drain valve; a diaphragm element; and a bottom elastic member.