Biodegradable Mucosal Tissue Dressing for Pain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures like tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy result in significant post-operative pain, bleeding, and discomfort, with existing treatments failing to adequately address these issues, particularly in children and adults, due to the delicate nature of mucosal tissue and challenges in providing effective post-surgical care.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable mucosal tissue dressing that acts as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain and bleeding, adhering to mucosal tissue and delivering therapeutic substances, designed to be flexible, durable, and dissolvable, with customizable configurations and drug delivery capabilities for various applications, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and other ENT procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier is applied to protect mucosal tissue, then pain and bleeding are reduced, but the dressing must adhere to tissue despite abrasive forces of swallowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible barrier film made of biocompatible materials that can adhere to mucosal tissue while withstanding the mechanical stresses of swallowing. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to tissue movements without compromising adhesion or causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dressing utilizes composite material structures combining multiple layers with different properties - including adhesive layers, barrier layers, and absorbent components - to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion, protection against abrasive forces, and compatibility with mucosal tissue.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mucosal tissue is protected from mechanical stress, then healing is facilitated, but the tissue must remain wet to maintain physiological function
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier film incorporates porous structures that allow fluid penetration while maintaining the protective barrier function. This enables the tissue to remain hydrated through capillary action and fluid diffusion without compromising the mechanical protection needed for healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The dressing acts as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the mucosal tissue, regulating fluid exchange. It permits necessary moisture and nutrients to reach the tissue while preventing excessive external contamination, thus maintaining both healing conditions and physiological function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dressing is applied to deliver therapeutic substances, then pain and healing are improved, but the dressing may interfere with normal physiological function
Solution Approach 1:
The therapeutic substances are delivered locally to the surgical site through the dressing, with concentrations and release rates optimized for the specific area. This localized delivery minimizes systemic effects and interference with normal physiological functions while maximizing pain relief and healing promotion at the target location.
Solution Approach 2:
The dressing employs controlled release mechanisms that deliver therapeutic substances in periodic or sustained releases rather than continuous high concentrations. This periodic action maintains effective pain management and healing promotion while allowing normal physiological functions to occur between release cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.