Dynamic Profile Connector for Negative Pressure Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reduced-pressure therapy systems face challenges in applying pressure to weight-bearing tissue sites due to the discomfort and secondary damage caused by the profile of existing connectors, which can lead to exclusion of patients who could benefit from this therapy.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic profile connector that collapses under therapeutic pressure to reduce its profile, allowing for efficient fluid communication while minimizing patient discomfort and secondary damage, and returns to its original profile when pressure is equalized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional connector with a fixed profile is used to apply reduced-pressure therapy, then fluid communication and pressure application are maintained, but patient discomfort and secondary damage occur at weight-bearing tissue sites
Solution Approach 1:
The connector wall is designed to dynamically change its profile in response to pressure differentials. When reduced pressure is applied, the wall collapses to a low profile to minimize patient discomfort at weight-bearing sites. When pressure equalizes, the wall returns to its original profile, maintaining structural integrity and fluid communication pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes pressure-dependent parameter changes in its wall structure. The wall thickness and durometer are specifically selected to enable collapse at therapeutic pressure levels while maintaining form communication at atmospheric pressure, allowing the connector to adapt its physical characteristics based on operating conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the connector profile is reduced to minimize patient discomfort, then patient comfort improves, but fluid communication and pressure transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector maintains fluid communication reliability through its dynamic collapse mechanism. The conduit port remains open and functional even when the wall collapses to a low profile, ensuring that pressure transmission and fluid flow are not compromised while minimizing patient discomfort at weight-bearing sites.
3Strength
If a rigid connector structure is used to maintain structural integrity, then mechanical strength is preserved, but the connector cannot adapt to pressure changes and causes patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The connector wall is engineered with specific thickness and durometer parameters that allow it to transition between rigid and flexible states. At atmospheric pressure, the wall maintains sufficient structural integrity for fluid communication. At therapeutic reduced pressure, the wall becomes flexible enough to collapse to a low profile, reducing patient discomfort while preserving mechanical strength when needed.
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 dynamic profile connector enables effective reduced-pressure therapy on weight-bearing areas by reducing discomfort and secondary damage, ensuring continuous fluid communication and therapeutic pressure application.
Implementation Method 1
the wall collapses from a first position, where the cavity has a first volume, to a second position, where the cavity has a second reduced volume, in response to a supply of reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source
Implementation Method 2
the thickness of the wall and the durometer of the wall are selected so that the wall collapses to the second position in response to the pressure in the sealed therapeutic environment reaching a therapeutic reduced pressure level and the wall expands to the first position in response to the absolute pressure in the sealed therapeutic environment rising above the therapeutic reduced pressure level
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and system for fluidly connecting a reduced-pressure source to a dressing and a method for manufacturing and using the same include a base having an aperture and a wall having a peripheral portion coupled to the base. The wall may form a cavity in fluid communication with the aperture. The apparatus also may include a conduit port fluidly coupled to the cavity and adapted to receive a conduit. The base may be adapted to couple to the dressing, and the wall may be adapted to collapse from a first position to a second position in response to a supply of reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source.