Extendable Dressing Manifold for Tissue Conformability

Solution Overview

Problem

Current negative-pressure therapy systems for tissue treatment lack optimal conformability and tensile strength, which can limit their effectiveness in promoting tissue growth and wound healing by reducing pressure and improving blood flow.

Innovation Solution

A dressing system with a primary manifold that can extend to form a convex shape over a tissue site, combined with a drape to seal the area and a negative-pressure source, enhancing contact and inducing micro-strain for improved therapy outcomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the dressing is made with high tensile strength material, then structural integrity is improved, but conformability and flexure to tissue site deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidconformability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a flexible support layer for structural integrity, a conformable adhesive layer for tissue contact, and a functional layer for therapy delivery. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its properties without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing uses composite material construction combining materials with different mechanical properties - a tensile-strong support layer paired with a flexible conformable layer - to achieve both structural integrity and adaptability to tissue contours simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the dressing is made with high flexure and conformability, then tissue contact is improved, but tensile strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconformabilityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a flexible support layer for structural integrity, a conformable adhesive layer for tissue contact, and a functional layer for therapy delivery. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its properties without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing uses composite material construction combining materials with different mechanical properties - a tensile-strong support layer paired with a flexible conformable layer - to achieve both structural integrity and adaptability to tissue contours simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If the primary manifold is kept compact, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to extend and conform to tissue site deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidextendability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The primary manifold incorporates an extension zone that allows the structure to dynamically change from a compact state during application to an extended state during therapy, enabling conformability to irregular tissue sites while maintaining simple storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The extension zone is configured to extend outward and form a convex shape that conforms to the curved surfaces of tissue sites, allowing the manifold to adapt to anatomical contours while maintaining a simple flat structure when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 system improves tissue contact and micro-strain distribution, accelerating tissue growth and wound healing by providing consistent negative pressure and fluid management.

Implementation Method 1

reducing pressure in proximity to a tissue site can augment and accelerate growth of new tissue at the tissue site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the increased flexure and/or improved conformability of the dressing may provide for better contact between the tissue site and a tissue site-facing surface of the dressing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexure: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240016996A1Extendable depth dressings with transparent capability

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 KCI MFG UNLIMITED CO

AI summary

An example apparatus for treating a tissue site with negative pressure may include a primary manifold configured to move between a retracted state and an extended state. The primary manifold may include a top surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface and configured to face toward the tissue site. Further, the primary manifold may include a pleat positioned adjacent to an extension zone that is configured to extend outward from the bottom surface of the primary manifold toward the tissue site when the primary manifold is in the extended state. Also disclosed are other apparatus, dressings, systems, and methods.