Embossed Wound Chamber for Leak-Safe Negative Pressure Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing negative pressure wound therapy devices are complex, costly, prone to leaks, and unsuitable for certain body areas like the face, neck, and head, requiring continuous suction, porous inserts that can harbor infections, and are labor-intensive to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A wound treatment device with a chamber having embossed structures for direct wound contact and integrated pathways for negative pressure distribution, combined with a tube for therapeutic agent delivery, allowing for high-concentration topical application and eliminating the need for porous inserts, thus reducing leaks and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing negative pressure wound therapy devices are used, then negative pressure can be applied to the wound, but the devices are complex, costly, and prone to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated chamber structure. The chamber integrates the seal, negative pressure application interface, and therapeutic agent delivery system into one unified component, eliminating the need for separate porous inserts, multiple seals, and complex assembly procedures. This merging reduces the number of potential leak points and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it seals around the wound, applies negative pressure through integrated pathways, delivers high-concentration therapeutic agents directly to the wound, and maintains a controlled treatment environment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing complexity and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If porous inserts are used in negative pressure devices, then negative pressure can be distributed, but the inserts can harbor infections and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the porous insert component entirely from the system. Instead of using foam or gauze inserts that can harbor bacteria and require frequent replacement, the design applies negative pressure directly through the chamber walls via integrated embossed pathways. This extraction of the problematic porous insert element eliminates the infection risk and replacement time associated with traditional inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber appears to be designed as a disposable unit that can be applied directly to the wound without reusable porous inserts. This eliminates the need for insert replacement and reduces infection risk, as the entire device can be discarded after a single use or treatment period.
3Reliability
If conventional wound treatment with gauze is used, then the wound can be covered, but the treatment results in excessive pain, dehydration, and delayed healing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses negative pressure (pneumatic principle) to create an inverted moisture gradient that draws moisture from the surrounding tissue toward the wound site rather than allowing evaporation. This hydraulic flow of moisture prevents dehydration and creates a healing-promoting environment, contrasting with conventional gauze that allows moisture loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the pressure parameter by applying negative pressure to the wound environment. This pressure differential drives fluid flow toward the wound, maintaining optimal moisture levels and preventing the dehydration that occurs with conventional dry or moist gauze treatments. The parameter change also reduces pain by preventing tissue drying.
4Reliability
If high-concentration therapeutic agents are applied topically, then healing can be promoted, but the agents must be delivered effectively to the wound site
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber merges the therapeutic agent delivery system with the negative pressure application structure. Embossed pathways are integrated directly into the chamber walls, allowing high-concentration agents to be delivered through the same structure that applies negative pressure. This integration eliminates the need for separate delivery mechanisms and simplifies the overall 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 provides a simple, cost-effective, and leak-proof solution for negative pressure wound therapy suitable for various body parts, promoting healing with high-concentration therapeutic agents and maintaining consistent negative pressure without frequent regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of embossed structures arranged in a pattern on the inner surface of the chamber, the structures configured to directly contact a wound and to create pathways for distributing negative pressure between the inner surface of the chamber and the wound
Implementation Method 2
at least one tube having a first end connected to the chamber, the at least one tube being in fluid communication with the isolated treatment space so as to enable at least one selected from the group of: applying negative pressure to the isolated treatment space and applying a therapeutic agent to the wound
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for wound treatment are disclosed. A chamber may define a treatment space having an interior engineered surface including a plurality of structures configured to provide pathways for the distribution of negative pressure and to exert mechanical stress on a wound. One or more tubes may be in fluid communication with the treatment space to facilitate the application of negative pressure, the introduction of therapeutic agents, and the removal of wound material. Therapeutic agents may be formulated with a gel, for example, a hydrogel, a hydrocolloid, alginate, methyl cellulose, gelatin or any other gels for sustained-release and enhanced usability. A wound fluid collection device including an absorbable material may interface with the wound treatment device to facilitate the collection and disposal of wound material.