Modular Wound Therapy Device With Liquid Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wound therapy devices using negative pressure therapy are bulky, costly, and require extensive medical supervision, limiting their use in home settings and mobility due to their complexity and need for constant monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A self-integrated wound therapy device with a modular design that includes a housing for wound coverage, a liquid collector, and a vacuum source, allowing for independent use and easy portability, featuring a liquid barrier to separate the vacuum connection from the liquid collector and enabling attachment to a vacuum source either internally or externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional negative pressure therapy devices are used, then effective wound treatment is achieved, but the devices are bulky and require extensive medical supervision
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a disposable wound interface module containing the drape and absorbent material, and a reusable vacuum module containing the vacuum source. This segmentation allows the complex vacuum generation components to be isolated in a reusable unit while the patient-contact portion remains simple and disposable, reducing overall system complexity and supervision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid barrier membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the wound interface and the vacuum source. This membrane allows vacuum transmission while preventing liquid exudate from reaching the vacuum pump, enabling simpler vacuum pump design without requiring complex liquid separation systems.
2Reliability
If conventional negative pressure therapy devices are used, then wound therapy is provided, but the devices are costly and require constant monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable wound interface module is designed to be easily applied and removed by patients themselves without requiring physician or nurse assistance. The self-adhering drape and pre-configured absorbent materials enable patients to perform wound care independently, significantly reducing supervision requirements while maintaining therapy effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The wound interface module with drape and absorbent materials is designed as a disposable component that is replaced regularly. This allows the expensive reusable vacuum module to be used continuously while the disposable portion handles contamination and wear, reducing overall cost and simplifying operation for patients.
3Stress or pressure
If conventional negative pressure therapy devices are used, then therapeutic pressure is applied, but the devices are not portable and limit mobility
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the heavy vacuum generation components into a dedicated reusable module and using lightweight disposable wound interfaces, the system enables portable application. The modular design allows the vacuum source to be positioned optimally while keeping the patient-contact portion lightweight and easy to apply during travel or mobility activities.
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 provides effective negative pressure therapy with reduced supervision, is more portable and cost-effective, allowing patients to use it in-home settings and during travel, while maintaining therapeutic pressure and preventing liquid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid barrier may prevent liquid from the liquid collector from reaching the vacuum connection
Implementation Method 2
The seal may seal the housing to a body surface of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.