Fistula Pad with Silver Layer for Hemostasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fistula pads used for haemodialysis patients take a long time to heal and are prone to infection due to high blood flow and microbiological contamination, leading to increased bleeding and infection risks.
Innovation Solution
A fistula pad with a permeable superficial layer, a rigid outer layer, and an absorbing layer containing silver or aluminium derivatives, which enhances haemostasis and provides anti-bacterial properties to reduce healing time and infection risk, featuring a structure with a metallized or particle-included superficial and absorbing layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional fistula pads with absorbing layers are used, then blood absorption is provided, but bleeding time is prolonged and healing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition of the pad by incorporating silver ions or silver-containing compounds (such as silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, or silver alginate) into the absorbing layer. This parameter change transforms the pad from a passive absorbing material to an active hemostatic and antimicrobial agent that accelerates clotting and reduces bleeding time while promoting faster wound healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining traditional blood-absorbing materials with silver-containing compounds. This composite structure maintains the blood absorption capability while adding hemostatic and antimicrobial properties, thereby reducing bleeding time and preventing infection simultaneously.
2Reliability
If conventional fistula pads are used, then wound coverage is provided, but infection risk increases due to prolonged healing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical properties of the pad by incorporating silver ions or silver compounds, which possess well-documented antimicrobial properties. This parameter change creates a hostile environment for bacteria and microorganisms, significantly reducing infection risk while the hemostatic properties accelerate healing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The silver-containing compounds act as an intermediary agent between the wound and external contaminants. The silver ions release slowly from the pad material, creating a protective zone around the wound that prevents bacterial colonization and infection while promoting tissue regeneration and faster healing.
3Force
If pads without rigid structural elements are used, then flexibility is maintained, but pressure distribution on the wound is insufficient for hemostasis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a rigid or semi-rigid backing layer with an absorbing layer containing silver compounds. The rigid layer provides the necessary structural support to distribute pressure uniformly across the wound site, enhancing hemostasis, while the absorbing layer maintains contact with the wound for continuous delivery of hemostatic and antimicrobial agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different layers of the pad: the backing layer is made rigid for pressure distribution and structural support, while the absorbing layer containing silver compounds is kept softer to maintain conformability and direct contact with the irregular wound surface, ensuring localized delivery of therapeutic agents.
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 fistula pad significantly reduces bleeding time and infection probability by promoting faster healing and preventing bacterial growth, ensuring safer and more efficient haemodialysis procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of silver, aluminium or derivatives thereof favours the haemostasis thus reducing the healing time of the hole made by the fistula needle and by the bleeding
Implementation Method 2
Moreover it gives the fistula pad anti-bacterial features, thus reducing the probability of wound infection
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
Fistula pad comprising: - at least a superficial layer (110), which is intended to be placed on the hole made by the needle and which is permeable to blood and body exudates; - at least an absorbing layer (120); - at least an outer layer (140), which is more rigid than a single absorbing layer (120), and wherein the absorbing layer is arranged between the superficial layer (1 10) and the outer layer (140), and at least one of said superficial layer and absorbing layer comprises at least a substance selected from the group of silver, aluminium and derivatives thereof.