Low-Profile Wound Therapy Dressing with Molded Conduit Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional reduced pressure wound therapy systems are cumbersome, causing patient discomfort and increasing the risk of re-injury due to their profile and protuberances, which can compress or snag on clothing and surroundings.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile reduced pressure treatment system featuring a moldable conduit holder, porous pad, and drape that conforms to the tissue site, with a conduit system that minimizes profile and uses adhesive for secure placement, allowing for efficient delivery of reduced pressure without interfering with normal activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional dressings with stiff components (tubing connections, elbows) are used, then reduced pressure therapy can be delivered, but patient discomfort and pressure-induced injury increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduced pressure therapy deliveryVSAvoidpatient discomfort and pressure-induced injury
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane as the base material for the dressing, replacing traditional stiff components. This flexible membrane can conform to the body contour and distribute pressure evenly, eliminating pressure points while maintaining the reduced pressure therapy function. The flexible nature prevents patient discomfort and pressure-induced injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical rigid components (tubing connections, elbows) with a flexible membrane system. The reduced pressure is delivered through the flexible membrane itself rather than through rigid external components, substituting a mechanical system with a more compliant, adaptive system that eliminates harmful pressure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional dressings with protuberances are used, then reduced pressure therapy can be delivered, but the risk of snagging on clothing or surroundings increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduced pressure therapy deliveryVSAvoidrisk of snagging and re-injury
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane creates a smooth, low-profile surface that conforms to the body without creating protuberances. This eliminates the risk of snagging on clothing or surroundings during patient movement, while the membrane itself maintains the structural integrity needed for reduced pressure therapy delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible membrane naturally forms a curved, conformal surface that follows body contours, eliminating sharp edges and protuberances. This curvature allows the dressing to move with the patient without creating snagging points, while maintaining the necessary pressure distribution for therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional dressings are applied by sitting or rolling onto them, then the dressing can be applied to the wound, but significant patient discomfort occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedressing applicationVSAvoidpatient discomfort during application
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane can be easily manipulated and positioned due to its pliability. It can be rolled or folded for application and then smoothly unrolled or unfolded over the wound site without creating discomfort, unlike rigid traditional dressings that require forceful application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible membrane allows for dynamic application methods - it can be rolled up for easy placement and then smoothly unrolled over the wound. The material's flexibility enables it to adapt to the application process rather than requiring forceful, static placement, reducing patient discomfort during application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides effective reduced pressure treatment while reducing patient discomfort and the risk of re-injury by minimizing the profile and ensuring secure, comfortable application, thus facilitating faster healing and reducing the likelihood of tissue re-injury.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

An adhesive is disposed on a second side of the base to secure the base to the tissue contact region adjacent to the tissue site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9925317B2Low-profile reduced pressure treatment system
Publication Date: 2018.03.27 KCI LICENSING INC
  • US9925317B2 patent drawing
  • US9925317B2 patent drawing
  • US9925317B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A low-profile reduced pressure treatment apparatus and system are provided. The apparatus includes a moldable conduit holder, a conduit through the conduit holder, and a flexible base. The conduit holder has first and second bulkhead surfaces, a convex top surface, and a bottom surface adapted to conform to a tissue contact region adjacent to a tissue site. An end of the conduit is substantially flush with the first bulkhead surface and a longitudinal axis of the conduit is substantially perpendicular to the first and second bulkhead surfaces. The base is connected on a first side to the bottom surface of the conduit holder, and extends beyond the first bulkhead surface to form an overlay zone adjacent the first bulkhead surface. An adhesive is disposed on a second side of the flexible base to secure the flexible base to the tissue contact region.