Modular Wound Dressing for External Fixation Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

External fixation devices and frames make it difficult to access and change dressings on injured extremities, leading to potential infections and necrosis due to inadequate cleaning and dressing refreshment.

Innovation Solution

A modular wound dressing system with customizable components that can be easily secured to extremities, including the foot, using securement tabs and Ace strips, allowing for quick attachment and removal without adjusting the frame, and providing protection for anatomical structures like bony prominences and tendons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If external fixation devices and frames are used to support injured extremities, then stability and support are improved, but accessibility for cleaning and dressing changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing system is divided into multiple independent components including modular dressings, securement tabs, and Ace strips that can be applied separately and independently, allowing access to different areas of the extremity without moving the frame

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Securement tabs act as intermediary elements that bridge the dressing and the fixation frame pins, allowing the dressing to be anchored to the frame structure without requiring direct access to the wound site or adjustment of the frame itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional dressings are used on extremities with external fixation devices, then simplicity is maintained, but protection of anatomical structures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidprotection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The modular dressing system allows selection and application of specific dressing components tailored to protect particular anatomical structures such as bony prominences, neurovascular structures, and tendons based on their specific protection needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing system is designed to be dynamically adjustable and customizable to fit various wire or pin positions on different extremities, allowing adaptation to changing anatomical conditions and frame configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If frequent dressing changes are performed on extremities with external fixation devices, then wound healing is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound healingVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The modular dressing components are pre-configured with securement tabs and attachment mechanisms that enable quick application and removal without requiring complex manipulation or frame adjustment, reducing the time needed for dressing changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing system is segmented into independent modular components that can be quickly applied and removed separately, facilitating frequent dressing changes without increasing overall procedural complexity or time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240252371A1Dressing kit for external fixation and extremities

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 MONTROSS WILLIAM

AI summary

Disclosed are devices, systems and/or methods for protecting and healing injuries and/or other wounds of a patient's extremity.