Folded Edge Medical Compress Prevents Thread Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical compresses face challenges in preventing thread detachment, leading to potential frayed edges contaminating wounds, and are often complex and costly to produce, with existing solutions either being too intricate or expensive to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A medical compress comprising at least 8 layers of textile flat web material, where each layer is connected via folded edges, with all edges formed exclusively from folded or binding edges, ensuring no exposed cut edges and minimizing material usage, allowing for cost-effective production and enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gauze compresses are made with a grid structure to provide absorbency and drainage, then the compress functionality is improved, but end threads can come loose creating frayed edges that may contaminate wounds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound contamination preventionVSAvoidthread detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating folded edges at the cut boundaries of the gauze compress before the compress is put into service. These folded edges are formed by folding back the cut edges of the gauze material, which prevents thread detachment and fraying from occurring during use. This preliminary structural modification eliminates the harmful effect of thread detachment while preserving the grid structure's functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additional materials like thermoplastic threads, tapes, or nonwoven strips are added to prevent thread detachment, then thread security is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by using the gauze material itself to create the protective folded edges at the cut boundaries. Instead of adding separate thermoplastic threads, tapes, or nonwoven strips, the solution uses the existing gauze material folded back to secure the edges. This eliminates the need for additional materials and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining thread security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the edge securing function with the existing gauze material structure. The folded edges are formed by folding back portions of the gauze material itself, combining the protective function with the structural material. This integration eliminates the need for separate securing materials and reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If compresses are made with multiple layers to improve absorption and coverage, then the compress functionality is improved, but the packing volume and stacking difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidpacking volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nested doll principle by folding the multiple layers of gauze material in a coordinated manner where inner layers are positioned within the folded structure of outer layers. The folded edges create a nested arrangement where the layers are compacted into a smaller volume while maintaining the multi-layer absorption structure. This reduces packing volume and improves stacking characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of manufacture

If cut edges are used to form the compress shape, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but frayed threads can be introduced into the wound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfrayed threads in wound
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by immediately folding back the cut edges of the gauze material to create protective folded edges before the compress is put into service. This preliminary structural modification prevents frayed threads from contacting the wound while maintaining the simplicity of cutting the gauze into the required shape during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2173294B1Medical compress ii
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 PAUL HARTMANN AG
  • EP2173294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2173294B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2173294B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to medical compresses, especially gauze compresses, that can be especially advantageously folded. The invention also relates to a stack comprising a plurality of compresses.