Flexible Fluid Collection Bag for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) canisters are rigid, leading to bulkiness, increased storage space requirements, weight, and discomfort for patients, while flexible and expandable options are needed to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and expandable fluid collection apparatus with a fluid pathway longer than the bag, incorporating a load-bearing component such as absorbent material or pillars to prevent collapse under negative pressure, allowing for orientation-independent use and efficient fluid absorption and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid canister is used to support the structure during negative pressure application, then structural stability is improved, but device bulkiness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the canister wall that can deform under negative pressure while maintaining structural integrity. This flexible shell approach eliminates the need for rigid bulky structures, directly resolving the contradiction between structural stability and device bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the canister by using materials with appropriate elastic modulus and thickness that allow controlled deformation under negative pressure. This parameter optimization enables the canister to maintain stability while reducing bulkiness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid canister is used to support the structure during negative pressure application, then structural stability is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane construction replaces heavy rigid materials with lightweight flexible materials that provide sufficient structural support under negative pressure, directly addressing the weight reduction goal while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining flexible membrane with supportive elements that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling structural stability with minimized weight.
3Volume of moving object
If a flexible bag is used to reduce bulkiness and weight, then device portability is improved, but structural stability under negative pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is specifically engineered with appropriate mechanical properties to withstand negative pressure while maintaining flexibility, resolving the contradiction between portability and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing parameters such as membrane thickness, material elastic modulus, and geometric configuration, the patent achieves sufficient structural stability in a flexible lightweight design.
4Productivity
If the fluid pathway length is increased to improve fluid distribution, then fluid absorption efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular fluid pathway configuration optimizes fluid distribution through geometric curvature that naturally directs flow patterns, achieving efficient fluid absorption without requiring complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the fluid pathway directly into the canister structure rather than using separate components, combining multiple functions into a unified design that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining absorption efficiency.
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 apparatus maintains a stable structure under negative pressure, expands to accommodate fluid, and is comfortable for patients, reducing storage needs and weight while ensuring effective fluid collection and retention.
Implementation Method 1
the bag comprises an absorbent material configured to absorb and retain the liquid drawn into the bag
Implementation Method 2
the circular fluid pathway is configured to distribute the liquid into the absorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid collection apparatus for use in negative pressure wound therapy. The fluid collection apparatus includes a flexible bag having a first opening and a second opening. The bag includes a structure defining a fluid pathway connecting the first opening and the second opening. The pathway is circulative and contributes to orientation independence of the bag in use. The bag further includes a load-bearing component.