Elastomeric Coupling Body for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connection devices for negative pressure wound therapy are complex to manufacture and not economical, making them operationally unreliable for introducing fluid media with active ingredients into the wound space.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with a coupling body made from elastomeric material, injection-molded onto the conduit, featuring a fluid inlet section that protrudes through the negative pressure bandage into the wound space, and a separate fluid supply line that integrates with the conduit's lumen for efficient fluid delivery and suction, allowing for simple and economical production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fluid supply line is made to extend through the coupling body to enable instill therapy, then the ability to introduce fluid media into the wound space is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to complex manufacturing measures required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body is formed by injection molding directly onto the conduit means, merging two previously separate components into an integrated assembly. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for the coupling body and conduit, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to introduce fluid media through the integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides a seal against the atmosphere, allows negative pressure application, and enables fluid media introduction through the fluid supply line. By integrating these functions into a single component formed by injection molding, the device achieves versatility without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If the coupling body is formed by injection molding onto the conduit means, then the ease of manufacture is improved with simple and economical production, but the sealing transition between components must be reliably formed
Solution Approach 1:
The injection molding process directly forms the coupling body onto the conduit means in a single operation, merging two components into an integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate sealing steps and ensures a reliable sealing transition is formed as part of the molding process itself, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit means is prepared in advance and positioned within the injection mold before the coupling body material is injected. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sealing transition is formed correctly during the molding process, guaranteeing reliable sealing while maintaining the simplicity and economy of the overall manufacturing process
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 enables reliable and efficient delivery of healing fluids and active substances to the wound space while maintaining a vacuum seal, improving wound healing and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling body is formed by injection molding onto an end section of the conduit means
Implementation Method 2
negative pressure treatment means that an area of the body or wound that is exposed to the surrounding atmosphere is sealed pressure-tight or negative pressure-tight against the environment
Implementation Method 3
adhesive layer (70) having a first adhesive layer (71) facing the coupling body (6) and a second adhesive layer (73) facing away from the coupling body (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection device (2) for use in the negative pressure therapy of wounds, having a flexible guide means (4) with at least two lumens (28, 30, 31) and one coupling body (6) connected to the guide means (4), which guide means (4) can be charged with negative pressure and/or fluid media, wherein the coupling body can be applied to a negative pressure dressing (12) covering the wound (10) and sealing it tightly against the atmosphere, wherein the guide means (4) communicates with the wound space through at least one opening (32). The connection device is characterised in that the coupling body (6) is made from an elastomeric flexible material which is sprayed to a wound-side end section (8) of the guide means (4) so as to be undetachable, and in that a fluid introduction section (46) is formed on the coupling body (6) which projects over the wall (34) of the coupling body (6) facing the negative pressure dressing (12) and can penetrate through the opening in the negative pressure dressing (12) into the wound space or into a wound inlay provided there, wherein this fluid introduction section (46) is flow-connected to a lumen (42) for supplying a fluid medium via the inside of the coupling body (6), which lumen is designed either inside the guide means (4) or is formed from an additional fluid supply line (62) introduced to the coupling body (6).