Electroactive Polymer Wound Dressing for Self-Powered Healing

Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for applying electrical stimulation to wounds are cumbersome, complex, and expensive, limiting their practical use in wound healing, particularly for chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, and have not demonstrated effective acceleration of the healing process.

Innovation Solution

A device utilizing electroactive polymers like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties, which generates an electric field due to body heat and pressure, facilitating wound healing without the need for external power sources, and is designed to be simple, lightweight, and potentially recyclable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If AC or DC power is used to generate electric fields for wound healing, then effective electrical stimulation can be achieved, but the device becomes cumbersome, complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of electrical stimulationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electroactive polymer generates electrical energy autonomously through its piezoelectric properties when subjected to mechanical stress from body movements and pressure, eliminating the need for external power sources. This self-powered mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing effective electrical stimulation without requiring complex power supply systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical power generation system with a piezoelectric material that directly converts mechanical stress into electrical energy. This substitution eliminates cumbersome power supplies, circuitry, and battery systems while maintaining the therapeutic electrical stimulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If AC or DC power is used to generate electric fields for wound healing, then effective electrical stimulation can be achieved, but the device becomes cumbersome and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of electrical stimulationVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electroactive polymer generates electrical energy autonomously through its piezoelectric properties when subjected to mechanical stress from body movements and pressure, eliminating the need for external power sources. This self-powered mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing effective electrical stimulation without requiring complex power supply systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical power generation system with a piezoelectric material that directly converts mechanical stress into electrical energy. This substitution eliminates cumbersome power supplies, circuitry, and battery systems while maintaining the therapeutic electrical stimulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If prior art devices are used for applying electric fields, then wound healing can be promoted, but the devices are cumbersome, complex and expensive, limiting their practical use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound healing effectivenessVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electroactive polymer generates electrical energy autonomously through its piezoelectric properties when subjected to mechanical stress from body movements and pressure, eliminating the need for external power sources. This self-powered mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing effective electrical stimulation without requiring complex power supply systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical power generation system with a piezoelectric material that directly converts mechanical stress into electrical energy. This substitution eliminates cumbersome power supplies, circuitry, and battery systems while maintaining the therapeutic electrical stimulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device accelerates wound healing by influencing cell migration with intrinsic electric fields, reducing scarring and infection risk, and is suitable for various settings including hospitals, clinics, and space missions, offering bacterial resistance and potential cost savings.

Implementation Method 1

The electroactive polymer has either pyroelectric properties, piezoelectric properties, or both

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyroelectric effect: Pyroelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The electroactive polymer has either pyroelectric properties, piezoelectric properties, or both

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11298526B2Device for healing wounds

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR NAT AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AI summary

A device for promoting healing of an injury in a living being is provided. Such device is based upon an injury covering portion, which portion comprises an electroactive polymer, such as poled polyvinylidine difluoride (PVDF) or a copolymer of PVDF. The electroactive polymer has either pyroelectric properties, piezoelectric properties, or both.