Impermeable Conformable Chamber for Negative Pressure Edema Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current negative pressure wound therapy devices are complex, expensive, labor-intensive, and not suitable for certain body areas like the breasts, face, and neck due to leakage issues, requiring continuous suction and being contraindicated in necrotic tissue or invasive infections, and they often use porous inserts that can harbor infectious materials and cause tissue growth.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, cost-effective edema management device with a chamber made from impermeable material that conforms to the body area, using surface patterns to distribute negative pressure evenly and eliminate the need for porous inserts, allowing for direct contact with the skin and integration with therapeutic agents for enhanced healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing negative pressure devices are used, then edema reduction and wound healing are achieved, but the devices are complex, expensive, and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a conformable chamber that encloses the treatment area, a sealing portion that attaches to skin, and a conduit system for pressure application. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying overall assembly and application
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber is designed as a disposable component made from impermeable material that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance procedures associated with reusable devices, thereby reducing labor intensity and cost
2Reliability
If existing negative pressure devices are used, then wound healing is promoted, but they require continuous suction and frequent monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion is pre-configured with adhesive or fastening mechanisms that enable rapid attachment to the skin around the treatment site, eliminating time-consuming assembly steps and allowing immediate application of negative pressure without prolonged setup or monitoring requirements
3Reliability
If existing negative pressure devices are used, then bacterial burden is decreased, but they harbor infectious materials in porous inserts
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is constructed from impermeable material that does not allow absorption or retention of fluids and infectious materials, preventing the harboring of bacteria and other contaminants while still allowing effective negative pressure application to reduce bacterial burden at the wound site
Solution Approach 2:
The design eliminates the porous insert component entirely, removing the element that harbors infectious materials while preserving the core negative pressure therapy function through the impermeable chamber and sealing system
4Reliability
If existing negative pressure devices are used, then edema is reduced, but they are not suitable for certain body areas like breasts, face, and neck
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is designed with a conformable, curved structure that can adapt to the contours of various body areas including breasts, face, and neck, allowing effective edema reduction in previously inaccessible regions while maintaining the negative pressure seal through the contoured sealing portion
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 device provides effective edema reduction and promotes healing without the need for continuous suction, is easy to apply and monitor, and can be used on sensitive areas, reducing the risk of infection and tissue growth, while allowing patient mobility and improved wound care.
Implementation Method 1
applying a negative pressure to a treatment space of the treatment device
Implementation Method 2
allowing a plurality of surface patterns to directly contact the target site and create pathways configured to evenly distribute the negative pressure in the treatment space
Implementation Method 3
a conduit for introducing treatment fluid and treatment additives into the device and extracting wound fluid and/or air from the device
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for edema management, e.g., reducing edema, are disclosed. A treatment device may include a chamber defining a treatment space, the chamber being fabricated from a substantially impermeable material and configured to conform to the shape of the periphery, an inner surface of the chamber including a plurality of surface patterns, the chamber having a sealing portion at a base; and at least one conduit connected to the chamber and in fluid communication with the treatment space so as to enable the application of a negative pressure to the treatment space. The treatment device may be configured for reducing edema at a target site on a subject. The treatment device may be further configured for edema management, e.g., reducing edema, of at least one breast, e.g., both breasts, of a subject.