Dynamic Wound Cover for Negative Pressure Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound treatment methods, such as sutures, are ineffective for large or ischemic wounds due to uneven closure force distribution and increased infection risk, and existing negative pressure wound therapy systems lack the ability to switch between rigid and flexible configurations, limiting their adaptability during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus with a wound cover that can change between a rigid and flexible configuration using adjustable channels, allowing for controlled application of negative pressure and positive pressure to optimize wound treatment by varying the volume between the wound cover and the wound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If sutures are used to close large wounds, then wound closure force is applied, but the closure force is unevenly distributed and causes ischemia in adjacent tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The wound closure function is segmented from concentrated suture points to distributed negative pressure application across the entire wound surface and surrounding tissue, achieving uniform force distribution without localized ischemia
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical suture system is replaced with a negative pressure wound therapy system that uses controlled suction to achieve wound closure, eliminating the need for physical sutures and their associated ischemic effects
2Force
If the quantity or size of sutures is increased to reduce tension, then closure force is better distributed, but the quantity of foreign material increases and infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sutures (foreign material) are replaced with a single negative pressure system that achieves closure without introducing additional foreign material into the wound, thereby reducing infection risk
Solution Approach 2:
The wound environment is transformed from a state requiring multiple foreign material interventions to a state managed by a unified negative pressure field, reducing the wound's exposure to infectious foreign materials
3Device complexity
If existing negative pressure wound therapy systems use fixed configuration, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different wound stages is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wound cover configuration is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing transition between rigid and flexible states to adapt to different wound healing stages and patient needs, rather than being fixed in a single configuration
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 approach enhances blood flow, promotes healing, reduces bacterial burden, and improves granulation tissue formation, while allowing for adaptable treatment strategies to suit different stages of wound healing by maintaining consistent pressure levels across configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the wound cover is configured to become relatively rigid when a positive pressure is supplied to the at least one channel
Implementation Method 2
facilitating the application of negative pressure wound therapy to the wound
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for treating, a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound. The apparatus can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.