Layered Negative Pressure Wound Dressing for Leak Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative pressure wound dressings suffer from leaks around the periphery, require complex assembly, and struggle to absorb and retain drainage, necessitating powerful pumps and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A unitary dressing construct with a peripheral adhesive skin contact layer forming an air-tight seal, an absorbent layer with gelling material, and a cover layer for fluid management, along with a structural layer for stability, ensuring effective sealing and reduced power requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art negative pressure wound dressings are used, then negative pressure therapy can be applied to promote wound healing, but leaks occur around the dressing periphery requiring more powerful pumps and increased energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into distinct functional layers: a peripheral adhesive skin contact layer for sealing, an absorbent layer for fluid management, and a cover layer for protection. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function, with the peripheral layer providing reliable sealing to prevent leaks and reduce energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral adhesive skin contact layer acts as a flexible sealing barrier that conformally adheres to the skin around the wound, creating an air-tight seal. This flexible film structure prevents leakage of negative pressure while allowing the dressing to accommodate skin contours and movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If prior art negative pressure wound dressings are used, then wound treatment can proceed, but complex assembly procedures result in improper application and device inoperability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operabilityVSAvoidapplication simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components (adhesive peripheral layer, absorbent layer, cover layer, and aperture) are merged into a single unitary dressing construct. This integration eliminates the need for complex assembly procedures, reducing application errors and ensuring proper device operation while maintaining all necessary functions for negative pressure wound therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If prior art negative pressure wound dressings are used, then negative pressure can be applied to accelerate tissue growth, but the dressings cannot absorb and retain adequate quantities of drainage and exudate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid absorption capacityVSAvoidwound healing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing features localized functional zones: the peripheral adhesive skin contact layer provides sealing, while the central absorbent layer with gelling material is specifically designed for high-capacity fluid absorption and retention. This local quality differentiation ensures adequate absorption of drainage and exudate at the wound interface, creating an optimal healing environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent layer incorporates gelling material within a composite structure that combines multiple materials with complementary properties. This composite construction enhances the dressing's ability to absorb, retain, and manage wound exudate and drainage, maintaining appropriate moisture levels for wound healing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 dressing provides improved sealing, simplified application, enhanced fluid absorption, and reduced energy consumption, creating an optimal environment for wound healing.

Implementation Method 1

a peripheral adhesive skin contact layer to sealingly affix the dressing to a patient's skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent layer with gelling material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

an absorbent layer with gelling material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 4

a source of negative pressure configured for connection to the aperture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4081173B1Negative pressure wound dressing
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 CONVATEC LTD
  • EP4081173B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4081173B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4081173B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A dressing for negative pressure wound therapy includes an absorbent layer comprising a gelling absorbent material for absorbing exudate, a peripheral adhesive skin contact layer comprising a hydrocolloid adhesive and defining a window through which the absorbent layer is able to contact a wound, and a cover layer that is water impermeable and air permeable. The cover layer defines an aperture to be used with a pump assembly to provide negative pressure to a wound site.