Manual Suction Apparatus for Portable Wound Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems are bulky, expensive, and limit patient mobility due to the need for large, electrically driven mechanical pumps.

Innovation Solution

A portable tissue therapy device that uses a self-created reduced pressure system, comprising a sealant layer and a non-electrically powered suction apparatus, to apply therapeutic reduced pressure to a wound without the need for external power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrically driven mechanical pumps are used to apply negative pressure, then effective wound drainage and therapy are achieved, but device portability and patient mobility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound therapy effectivenessVSAvoidpatient mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrically driven mechanical pumps with a manually operated pump mechanism. The manual pump uses a plunger and cylinder arrangement where the user directly applies mechanical force to generate negative pressure, eliminating the need for electrical motors and power sources while maintaining therapeutic suction capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables the patient or caregiver to self-operate the suction mechanism through manual pumping action. The system is designed to be self-contained with no external power requirements, allowing the user to control and maintain negative pressure therapy independently without relying on electrical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Force

If large mechanical pumps are used, then sufficient suction force is generated, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction forceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane or diaphragm as the pumping mechanism instead of rigid mechanical components. The flexible element can be compressed and released by hand to generate suction, providing sufficient force while maintaining a compact, lightweight form factor that is portable and affordable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If electrically powered systems are used, then consistent negative pressure is maintained, but device complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electrical control systems with a simple manual pumping mechanism. The user maintains negative pressure through repeated manual pump operations, eliminating the need for motors, power supplies, electronic controls, and associated complexity while achieving stable therapeutic pressure levels.

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

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 device allows for increased patient mobility while providing effective wound therapy by self-maintaining reduced pressure levels between 0 and 760 mm Hg, promoting wound healing through exudate removal and tissue perfusion.

Implementation Method 1

self-created reduced pressure by forcefully expanding a volume of air molecules enclosed in the sealed enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure expansion: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

reducing the level of pressure in a volume of air located under the sealant layer by engaging the suction apparatus, wherein the suction apparatus self-creates the reduction in pressure by forcefully expanding the volume of air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas law application: Boyle's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3513820B1Devices for application of reduced pressure therapy
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIV
  • EP3513820B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3513820B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3513820B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Described generally herein are tissue therapy devices, which may comprise a sealant layer and a suction apparatus. The sealant layer functions so as to create a sealed enclosure between it and the surface of a patient by forming, preferably, an airtight seal around an area of tissue that requires negative pressure therapy. The tissue therapy device may comprise a suction apparatus. The suction apparatus is typically in fluid communication with the sealant layer and functions so as to reduce the amount of pressure present underneath the sealant layer. The reduced pressure is self-created by the suction apparatus. Together the sealant layer and the suction apparatus preferably create a closed reduced pressure therapy system. Preferably, the pressure under the sealant layer is reduced by expanding the volume of the enclosure space and thereby decreasing the density of the air molecules under the sealant layer.