Elastomeric Jacket Dampens Pump Noise in Mobile NPWT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices are challenging to make silent due to noise from the pump, and conventional silencers are too bulky for a compact and lightweight design.
Innovation Solution
The use of an elastomeric jacket that encloses the pump casing to define a flow channel for air output, which dampens both acoustic and vibration noise, combined with a control unit that maintains a constant average voltage to the pump for consistent sound emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional silencers or mufflers are used to reduce pump noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but the device becomes too bulky for mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the silencing function with the pump housing itself by integrating an elastomeric jacket directly onto the pump casing. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate bulky silencers while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastomeric jacket (flexible shell) that encloses the pump casing to provide acoustic damping. This thin flexible layer absorbs acoustic energy and dampens pump vibrations without adding significant volume, solving the contradiction between noise reduction and compactness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pump is enclosed with an elastomeric jacket to dampen noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric jacket serves as a flexible shell that provides acoustic damping and vibration isolation. This single component addresses multiple noise sources (acoustic noise and vibrations) without requiring complex multi-component silencing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric jacket performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dampens acoustic noise, reduces vibration transmission, and can be integrated with the pump housing structure. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity compared to separate components for each function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flow channel cross-section is reduced to dampen noise, then noise intensity is reduced, but the pressure reduction control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the flow channel cross-sectional area parameters to optimize the balance between noise dampening and pressure control. By carefully selecting and adjusting these geometric parameters, the system achieves effective noise reduction while maintaining adequate pressure control capability.
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 effectively reduces noise intensity and maintains user convenience by absorbing acoustic energy and controlling pressure reduction, resulting in a more unobtrusive mobile NPWT device.
Implementation Method 1
the material of the elastomeric jacket absorbs acoustic energy and contributes to the sound dampening
Implementation Method 2
a controlled reduction of the pressure of the air output by the pump outlet can be provided for, which reduces the intensity of the noise
Implementation Method 3
an elastomeric jacket at least partly enclosing the pump, the elastomeric jacket being configured to define a flow channel... dampening noise caused by pump vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device is described having an inlet; a canister in fluid flow connection with the inlet; a pump having a pump casing with a pump inlet in fluid flow connection with the canister in the canister, and a pump outlet for output of air transported through the pump; an elastomeric jacket at least partly enclosing the pump, the elastomeric jacket being configured to define a flow channel having a first end arranged to receive air output by the pump outlet and a second end spaced apart from the first end for discharging the air output by the pump outlet following passage through the flow channel; a control unit for controlling operation of the mobile NPWT device; a battery arrangement for powering the mobile NPWT device; and a housing enclosing at least the pump, the elastomeric jacket, the control unit, and the battery arrangement.