Distributed Wound Pump Layout for Lower Heat and Dressing Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative pressure wound therapy systems using piezoelectric pumps face inefficiencies due to high battery capacity requirements and heat generation, which can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for patients.

Innovation Solution

A distributed negative pressure wound therapy system with a piezoelectric pump mounted on the wound dressing and control electronics remotely located, utilizing a thermal dissipation layer to manage heat and allowing for rechargeable power supplies, reducing weight and heat transfer to the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a piezoelectric pump is used in the wound therapy system, then silent operation is achieved, but heat generation and battery capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the pump assembly into separate functional modules: the piezoelectric pump is mounted on the wound dressing to provide localized silent operation, while the power supply and control electronics are positioned in a separate remote housing. This segmentation allows the pump to operate quietly at the wound site without transferring heat and weight to the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the power supply and control electronics from the wound dressing assembly and places them in a remote rechargeable housing. This extraction removes the heat-generating and weight-bearing components from direct contact with the patient, while the piezoelectric pump continues to provide silent operation at the wound site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Duration of action of moving object

If battery capacity is increased to power the piezoelectric pump, then operational duration is extended, but weight and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply is extracted from the wound dressing and placed in a separate remote housing that the patient carries or wears. This allows the battery to have sufficient capacity for extended operational duration without adding weight to the wound dressing or directly to the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the functional requirements: the wound dressing contains only the lightweight piezoelectric pump for localized silent operation, while the remote housing contains the heavy power supply for extended duration. Each component is optimized for its specific location and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If control electronics are integrated with the pump on the wound dressing, then system complexity is reduced, but heat transfer to the patient increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a pump assembly mounted on the wound dressing and a separate control housing containing the power supply and electronics. This segmentation prevents heat generated by the electronics and power supply from transferring to the patient, while maintaining system functionality through wireless or wired communication between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication interface between the pump assembly and the remote control housing. This intermediary allows the distributed system to function as an integrated unit without requiring physical integration of heat-generating components with the wound dressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides silent operation with reduced weight and heat generation, enhancing patient comfort and efficiency by decoupling power supplies and control electronics from the wound dressing.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one pump includes a piezoelectric pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The absorbent layer includes at least one of (1) a wicking layer adjacent to a super-absorber or (2) a first layer of three-dimensional textile and a second layer of a non-woven super-absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS12478511B2Distributed negative pressure wound therapy system incorporating an absorbent dressing and piezo-electric pump

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A negative pressure wound therapy system includes a wound dressing, at least one pump fluidly coupled to the fluid interface, a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the wound dressing, a control housing, and an electrical coupler. The wound dressing includes a sealing layer, an absorbent layer adjacent to the sealing layer, and a fluid interface attached to at least one of the sealing layer or the absorbent layer. The at least one pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the fluid interface to draw fluid from the wound dressing via the fluid interface. The pressure sensor is configured to detect a fluid pressure of the wound dressing. The control housing is remote from the wound dressing. The electrical coupler is configured to removably connect the control housing to the at least one pump.