Liquid-Expandable Hemostatic Articles for Irregular Wound Conformability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound dressings are ineffective in controlling severe bleeding from large soft tissue wounds due to stiffness, inability to conform to irregular geometries, and issues with granular and powder-based hemostatic products, such as emboli formation, ease of use in austere environments, and lack of physical cohesion.

Innovation Solution

A hemostatic composition comprising liquid-expandable articles on a flexible backing material that expand upon contact with bodily fluids to conform to wound cavities, providing rapid hemostasis without the need for external compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stiff and rigid bandages are used to apply pressure for hemostasis, then hemostatic effect is improved, but ability to conform to irregular wound geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemostatic effectVSAvoidconformability to irregular wound geometries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into a compliant base layer and multiple foam insert segments that can be independently positioned and shaped. Each foam segment can be compressed and molded to fit specific wound cavities and irregular geometries, while the base layer provides overall structural support and pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foam inserts are designed to be dynamically compressible and moldable during application, allowing them to adapt to irregular wound shapes. Once positioned, they maintain their compressed shape to provide sustained pressure, transitioning from a molding state to a stable hemostatic state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If granular and powder based hemostatic products are used, then ability to fill irregular wounds is improved, but physical cohesion and resistance to washing away deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to fill irregular woundsVSAvoidphysical cohesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing combines a stable foam material with integrated hemostatic agents (such as chitosan or other hemostatic powders) within the foam structure. This composite approach provides both the cohesion of foam and the hemostatic effectiveness of powder-based agents, preventing the hemostatic material from washing away while maintaining ability to fill irregular spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If granular and powder based hemostatic products are used, then ease of deployment in austere environments is worsened due to electrostatic charge, but hemostatic coverage is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemostatic coverageVSAvoidease of deployment in austere environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hemostatic agents are encapsulated within a flexible foam matrix structure that prevents electrostatic charging and clumping. The foam acts as a contained delivery system that can be easily handled and deployed in austere environments without the material sticking to instruments or gloves, while still providing comprehensive hemostatic coverage when applied to the wound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If external compression is applied to achieve hemostasis, then bleeding control is improved, but tissue perfusion compromise deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebleeding controlVSAvoidtissue perfusion compromise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foam inserts are designed to provide localized compression forces directly at the bleeding site within the wound cavity, rather than applying uniform external compression across the entire wound. This localized approach effectively controls bleeding at the source while minimizing compression on surrounding healthy tissue, thereby maintaining adequate tissue perfusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 composition effectively controls hemorrhage by expanding to fill irregular wound spaces, conforming to tissue geometry, and maintaining position within the wound, reducing bleeding without causing tissue perfusion compromise.

Implementation Method 1

liquid-expandable articles on a flexible backing material that expand upon contact with bodily fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid expansion:

Implementation Method 2

expanding to fill irregular wound spaces, conforming to tissue geometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConformation through expansion:

Data Source

PatentUS11020279B2Wound stasis dressing for large surface wounds

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 REVMEDX

AI summary

Embodiments herein provide hemostatic compositions comprising a plurality of liquid-expandable articles arranged on a backing material. In general, embodiments include methods for treating hemorrhagic injuries. More specifically, there is provided a method to effect rapid hemostatic response and control hemorrhage by introducing a hemostatic composition into a bleeding wound cavity. An embodiment also provides a method of preparing or manufacturing such a hemostatic composition.