Integrated Reduced Pressure Dressing with Internal Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reduced pressure treatment systems for wounds are complex, costly, and require trained personnel, making them unsuitable for low-severity wounds and limiting mobility due to the need for separate canisters and electrical components, with existing dressings failing to optimize fluid storage and pressure transmission.
Innovation Solution
A reduced pressure dressing system that includes an interface layer, absorbent layer, diverter layer, and liquid-air separator, which absorbs fluid and maintains pressure, allowing for self-administration and improved mobility by integrating a pump within the dressing, enhancing fluid distribution and storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate canister and external pump are used for reduced pressure therapy, then the therapy can be applied effectively, but the device complexity increases and mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump, canister, and dressing into a single integrated unit. The pump is positioned within the dressing assembly, allowing it to be placed directly on the patient's body without requiring separate external components. This integration reduces the number of connections and assembly steps while maintaining the reduced pressure therapy effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated dressing unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it applies reduced pressure through the porous pad, collects and stores fluid in the canister, and provides tissue interface through the dressing layers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and reduces overall system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If a separate canister is used for fluid collection, then fluid storage capacity is adequate, but the device complexity increases and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is integrated into the dressing assembly, combining fluid storage with the pressure application system. This allows adequate fluid storage capacity while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Power
If electrical components are used externally, then reduced pressure can be generated, but treatment costs increase and mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical pump components are integrated within the dressing unit, allowing the reduced pressure generation function to be combined with the fluid collection and tissue interface functions. This reduces the need for separate external electrical components and associated infrastructure.
4Ease of operation
If the dressing is designed for self-administration, then ease of operation improves, but the device complexity must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all necessary components (pump, canister, dressing) into a single unit, the system reduces the complexity of assembly and operation. The unified design eliminates the need for multiple separate components that would require careful coordination, thereby facilitating self-administration while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
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 enables efficient fluid absorption and pressure maintenance, facilitating self-administration of reduced pressure therapy for wounds, improving mobility and reducing treatment costs by integrating a pump within the dressing, thus making it suitable for low-severity wounds.
Implementation Method 1
An absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site
Implementation Method 2
A pump is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site
Implementation Method 3
The porous pad contains cells or pores that are capable of distributing reduced pressure to the tissue and channeling fluids that are drawn from the tissue
Implementation Method 4
a liquid-air separator is positioned between the absorbent layer and the pump to inhibit liquid from entering the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A reduced pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site includes an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. An absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site. A pump is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site. A cover is positioned over the pump, the absorbent layer, and the interface layer to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, and a liquid-air separator is positioned between the absorbent layer and the pump to inhibit liquid from entering the pump.