Instrumented Wound Closure Device with Integrated Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack integration of therapeutic and sensory capabilities into wound closure devices, which are essential for enhanced healing and post-operative physical therapy monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Development of wound closure devices comprising panels with integrated sensory or therapeutic elements, such as sensors and therapy delivery mechanisms, that can communicate wirelessly with external devices to monitor and treat physiological parameters like temperature, motion, and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensory or therapeutic elements are integrated into wound closure devices, then monitoring and therapeutic capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensory elements (temperature, motion, pressure sensors) and therapeutic elements (heating, cooling, vibration, light sources) directly into the wound closure device panels. This merging of multiple functions into a single integrated device enables simultaneous monitoring and therapy delivery while managing the complexity through unified structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The wound closure device is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical closure of the wound, temperature monitoring, motion detection, pressure measurement, and delivery of various therapies (heat, cold, vibration, light). This multi-functionality approach allows one device to address diverse clinical needs without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers and components are added to panels, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional layers including adhesive layers, substrate layers, load distribution layers, and integrated sensory/therapeutic elements. Each layer can be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled, which simplifies manufacturing of individual components while enabling complex overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensory and therapeutic elements are embedded within pockets or cavities formed between the layers of the panels. This nesting approach allows integration of complex components within the multi-layer structure without significantly increasing external dimensions or manufacturing difficulty, as the elements are housed within the existing layered architecture.
3Loss of information
If wireless communication capabilities are integrated, then remote monitoring is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs wireless communication technologies (such as Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless protocols) to replace mechanical or wired communication systems. This substitution enables remote transmission of monitoring data without physical connections, improving flexibility and patient comfort while managing energy consumption through efficient wireless protocols and low-power communication modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A wound or incision closure apparatus comprises a first and second panel. Each of the panels comprises a bottom adhesive layer, a medial substrate layer, and an upper load distribution layer which connect the two panels. A sensory or therapeutic element is disposed adjacent, within, or between two or more of the layers. The sensory or therapeutic element can provide sensing and/or therapy for the incision and/or monitor the incision so that the therapy can be customized and updated.