Hydrocolloid Sealing Ring for Wound Dressing Fluid Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound treatment systems using reduced pressure therapy face challenges in maintaining a sealed environment, particularly around tissue sites with irregular surfaces, leading to leaks and inefficient fluid management.

Innovation Solution

A dressing assembly with a sealing ring comprising a hydrocolloid absorbent, coupled with a comfort layer and sealing members, creates a sealed space over the tissue site, enhancing fluid management and reducing leaks by using a hydrocolloid absorbent sealing ring to absorb fluids and maintain pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing ring is used to create a sealed space over the tissue site, then the reliability of the sealed environment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sealing components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealed environment reliabilityVSAvoidsealing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides sealing against the skin, incorporates hydrocolloid absorbent material for fluid management, and maintains the sealed space geometry. This merging of sealing, absorption, and structural functions into one component improves reliability while avoiding the complexity of separate sealing rings, absorbent materials, and fluid management systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is constructed from composite materials combining elastomeric sealing material with hydrocolloid absorbent material. This composite structure enables the single component to simultaneously provide mechanical sealing and fluid absorption functions, resolving the contradiction between improved sealing reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If a hydrocolloid absorbent sealing ring is used to absorb fluids, then fluid management is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorption capacityVSAvoidsealing ring manufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrocolloid absorbent material undergoes parameter changes when exposed to wound fluids, transitioning from a relatively dry state to an activated absorption state. This parameter change enables high fluid absorption capacity while the material's inherent properties tolerate reasonable manufacturing variations without compromising performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring with hydrocolford absorbent is designed as a disposable component that is pre-manufactured with embedded absorbent material. The disposable nature allows for simplified manufacturing processes that do not require extremely high precision, as each new application uses a fresh sealing ring regardless of previous usage conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If multiple sealing members are used to cover the dressing bolster, then the sealed space reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to more complex application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealed space integrityVSAvoiddressing application ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into distinct functional components: a first sealing member that provides primary sealing, a second sealing member that extends to form a drape extension for additional sealing, and a sealing ring that provides circumferential sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing members are designed with multi-functionality: they provide sealing, support the drape extension for patient coverage, and work in conjunction with the hydrocolloid absorbent. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, improving ease of operation while maintaining sealed space integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively maintains reduced pressure over the tissue site, promoting faster healing and fluid management by minimizing leaks and enhancing fluid absorption, thus improving wound treatment outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing ring comprised of a hydrocolloid including an absorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3578209B1Dressing interface with moisture controlling feature and sealing function

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

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AI summary

Provided are systems, dressings, and methods suitable for treating a tissue site, such as an incision or linear wound. The systems, dressings, and methods relate to a dressing assembly that may include a dressing bolster and a sealing ring. The sealing ring may be adapted to provide a fluid seal around the tissue site, and to absorb fluids from the tissue site. In some embodiments, the sealing ring may be extruded around the tissue site. In other embodiments, the sealing ring may be coupled to the dressing bolster. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.