Disposable Regulator with Feedback for Pressure Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cost and complexity of reduced-pressure therapy systems, particularly those using wall-suction sources, pose challenges in effectively regulating therapeutic pressure for wound treatment, risking inadequate fluid removal or tissue damage due to improper pressure settings.
Innovation Solution
A reduced-pressure system with a regulator that includes a supply chamber, control chamber, and charging chamber, coupled with a feedback system featuring a pressure sensor and signal interface, allows for mechanical regulation and feedback on operating states, ensuring appropriate pressure delivery and alerting operators to potential issues like leaks or blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a wall-suction source is used for reduced-pressure therapy, then the system cost is reduced, but the ability to accurately regulate therapeutic pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback system with a pressure sensor that continuously monitors the pressure in the control chamber and provides signals to indicate whether the pressure is within the desired range. This feedback mechanism enables accurate pressure regulation despite using a simple wall-suction source, resolving the contradiction between low cost and precise pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a regulator with a control chamber as an intermediary device between the wall-suction source and the wound dressing. This regulator mediates the pressure from the wall-suction source, allowing precise control of therapeutic pressure applied to the wound while maintaining compatibility with low-cost wall-suction infrastructure.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex reduced-pressure therapy system is used, then pressure regulation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator with control chamber serves as a simple intermediary device that provides accurate pressure regulation without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple components. The mechanical design of the regulator achieves precise pressure control while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback system uses a simple pressure sensor and signal interface that provides clear indications of pressure status without requiring complex processing or control electronics. This feedback mechanism achieves accurate pressure monitoring while minimizing added system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If wall-suction sources are used, then cost is reduced, but reliability of pressure delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system continuously monitors pressure and provides real-time indications of whether the pressure is within the therapeutic range. This allows operators to immediately detect and correct pressure deviations, ensuring reliable pressure delivery while using cost-effective wall-suction sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator acts as a reliable intermediary that stabilizes and controls the pressure from the wall-suction source, filtering out variations and ensuring consistent therapeutic pressure delivery to the wound despite fluctuations in the wall-suction supply.
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
This configuration provides a cost-effective, disposable, and configurable system that ensures accurate and safe delivery of therapeutic pressure, enhancing wound treatment outcomes by preventing tissue damage and optimizing fluid removal.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor adapted to be fluidly coupled to the control chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing feedback for reduced-pressure therapy are described. A regulator can include a supply chamber fluidly coupled to a dressing, a control chamber fluidly coupled to the dressing, a charging chamber fluidly coupled to the supply chamber through a port, and a regulator valve operable to control fluid communication through the port based on a pressure differential between the control chamber and a target pressure. The feedback system can include a printed circuit board, a pressure sensor and a signal interface communicatively coupled to the printed circuit board. The pressure sensor can be fluidly coupled to the control chamber to determine the pressure in the control chamber. The signal interface can indicate a state of the reduced-pressure therapy. A potential source can be communicatively coupled to the printed circuit board, the pressure sensor, and the indicator.