Multi-Dressing Negative Pressure Therapy With Per-Path Pressure Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems are limited to treating only one wound at a time, leading to ineffective and imprecise treatment when multiple wounds are involved.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus with multiple inlets, fluid flow paths, pressure sensors, and a controller that can detect and manage operating conditions such as blockages, leaks, or overpressures in multiple wound dressings, allowing simultaneous treatment of multiple wounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single negative pressure wound therapy system is used for a patient with multiple wounds, then the number of systems is reduced, but the ability to provide individualized negative pressure for each wound is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple patient interfaces, each capable of independently coupling to a different wound on the patient's body. Each patient interface can establish its own sealed environment and apply negative pressure independently, allowing individualized treatment for each wound while being part of a single unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
A single negative pressure wound therapy system is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting multiple patient interfaces simultaneously. The system can treat multiple wounds on different body parts with different negative pressure settings, making one system versatile enough to replace multiple separate systems while maintaining individualized care.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple negative pressure wound therapy systems are used for multiple wounds, then individualized treatment is achieved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple patient interfaces that would traditionally require separate negative pressure wound therapy systems are merged into a single unified system. The system includes a central controller and multiple patient interfaces that can be simultaneously connected to different wounds, combining the functionality of multiple systems into one while maintaining individualized negative pressure control for each wound.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple patient interfaces are used on a single system, then individualized negative pressure is achieved for multiple wounds, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A central controller acts as an intermediary between multiple patient interfaces and the power/source unit. The central controller manages communication and coordination between different patient interfaces, allowing each to operate independently with customized negative pressure settings while being part of a cohesive system managed through a single control point.
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
Enables efficient and precise treatment of multiple wounds by monitoring and managing pressure conditions in each dressing, ensuring effective application of negative pressure therapy across all wound sites.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure wound therapy system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for the treatment of wounds, for example using multiple wound dressings in combination with negative pressure wound therapy. A negative pressure would therapy apparatus can include a negative pressure source and a controller. The negative pressure source can include inlets configured to couple via fluid flow paths to wound dressings. The fluid flow paths can include pressure sensors configured to measure pressure in the fluid flow paths. The pressure sensors can include a first pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the first fluid flow path and a second pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the second fluid flow path. The controller can be configured to operate the negative pressure source and provide, based on measured pressure, indication of at least one operating condition associated with at least one of the fluid flow paths.