Inline Exudate Sampling Fitting for Continuous Reduced-Pressure Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for collecting exudate from tissue sites during reduced-pressure therapy are inefficient, often requiring interruption of therapy, risking contamination, and prolonging healing times, as they involve stopping therapy to retrieve samples or using containers that can contaminate the specimens.

Innovation Solution

A collection fitting system that allows for inline sampling of fluid specimens from tissue sites without interrupting reduced-pressure therapy, using a switch fitting and bypass mechanism to direct fluid flow through a specimen container, enabling continuous therapy while collecting samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current methods for collecting exudate are used, then fluid specimens can be obtained from tissue sites, but therapy must be interrupted and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen collection accuracyVSAvoidtherapy continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid collection system is segmented into separate pathways: a first passage for continuous reduced-pressure therapy and a second passage for specimen collection. The collection fitting includes multiple passages that allow independent operation of therapy and sampling functions, enabling specimen collection without interrupting the therapeutic reduced-pressure flow to the tissue site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A collection fitting acts as an intermediary device between the reduced-pressure source and the tissue site. This fitting includes a switch mechanism that can direct fluid flow through different passages - allowing specimens to be collected in a specimen container while maintaining the reduced-pressure therapy pathway intact, thus mediating between sampling needs and therapy continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If current exudate collection methods are used, then specimens can be retrieved, but healing time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexudate specimen collectionVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reduced-pressure therapy acts on the tissue site continuously without interruption. The collection fitting's switch mechanism allows the reduced-pressure flow to be diverted temporarily for specimen collection in the second passage, then restored to the therapy pathway, maintaining continuous therapeutic action while enabling periodic sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The collection fitting is pre-configured with a switch mechanism and specimen container connection ready before therapy begins. This allows specimens to be collected at predetermined intervals without requiring setup or interruption of the reduced-pressure therapy system, thereby saving healing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If current collection methods are used, then fluid samples can be obtained, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen sampling capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the fluid pathway into a therapy passage and a specimen collection passage. The specimen container connects to the collection fitting through the second passage, creating an isolated sampling pathway that prevents external contamination while maintaining sterile conditions for specimen collection without exposing the therapy pathway to contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables uncontaminated, timely sampling of exudates without disrupting reduced-pressure therapy, reducing healing times and minimizing contamination risks, allowing for accurate diagnostic testing.

Implementation Method 1

reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the collection fitting. The collection fitting may also include a switch configured to selectively couple a fluid path between the reduced-pressure source and the tissue site through the specimen container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The collection fitting may include a bypass switch coupled to the switch fitting. The bypass switch may be operable to fluidly couple the first passage and the second passage through the bypass switch. The bypass switch may also be operable to fluidly couple the first passage and the second passage through a specimen container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentUS11317839B2Apparatuses and methods for inline collection of a fluid specimen

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 KCI LICENSING INC

AI summary

A collection fitting, system, and method for sampling fluid from a tissue site is described. The collection fitting includes a switch fitting having a first passage and a second passage. The collection fitting also includes a bypass switch coupled to the switch fitting. The bypass switch is operable to fluidly couple the first passage and the second passage through the bypass switch. The bypass switch is also operable to fluidly couple the first passage and the second passage through a specimen container.