Needled Velor Nonwoven Loops for Gentle Wound Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wound cleansing devices with protruding threads can cause skin irritation due to open or broken ends, which is undesirable for effective and gentle wound cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A needled velor nonwoven with loops instead of protruding threads is used, which absorbs and removes incrustations, dead cells, and secretions without irritating the skin, providing a flat application that reduces skin irritation and enhances wound cleaning efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If protruding threads with freely projecting ends are used for wound cleansing, then the cleaning ability is improved, but skin irritation occurs due to open or broken ends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound cleaning abilityVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using protruding thread ends that can cause irritation, the patent inverts the structure by creating loops where the fiber ends are bent back and secured within the nonwoven matrix. This inversion eliminates the harmful free ends while preserving the cleaning functionality through the loop structures that can still interact with wound debris.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of free fiber ends into a benefit by deliberately forming loops during the needling process. The same needling action that could create irritating protrusions is instead used to create beneficial loop structures that trap debris while keeping fiber ends secured and non-irritating to the skin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If loops are used instead of protruding threads, then skin irritation is minimized, but the cleaning efficacy may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidwound cleaning ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a surface structure with loops that have different properties from the bulk material. The loops provide a gentle, non-irritating surface that still possesses cleaning capability through their loop structure, while the underlying nonwoven matrix provides structural support and additional cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the fiber configuration from straight protruding ends to curved loops. This parameter change in fiber morphology allows the material to maintain cleaning efficacy through the loop's ability to trap and hold debris while simultaneously reducing skin irritation by eliminating sharp or broken ends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If a single layer of needled velor nonwoven is used, then the weight is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but mechanical stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenonwoven weightVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single-layer thin film structure that achieves the necessary mechanical stability through optimized fiber arrangement and needling density. The loops formed during needling create a self-reinforcing structure that provides adequate strength while maintaining low weight and simplifying manufacturing compared to multi-layer constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 needled velor nonwoven effectively cleans wounds by absorbing and removing debris and biofilms, reducing microbial load while minimizing skin irritation, and can be designed to absorb wound exudates, offering improved wound healing and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the velor needle nonwoven is finished or designed in such a way that it can absorb wound exudates without any problems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the loops of a needled velor fabric can hold back incrustations, dead cells or secretions in the needled velor fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical entrapment:

Implementation Method 3

the velor needle nonwoven is produced by depositing an at least partially pre-consolidated fleece on a stitching base and by needling the fleece on this stitching substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking:

Data Source

PatentEP2777662B1Use of a velvet fibrebonded fabric substance
Publication Date: 2015.07.08 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP2777662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777662B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2777662B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The use of a velour needle-punched nonwoven fabric for cleaning wounds and/or as a wound cleansing product, which absorbs tissue and body fluids from wounds and the surrounding skin, wherein the velour needle-punched nonwoven fabric comprises fibers forced into loops (2), wherein the velour needle-punched nonwoven fabric comprises a first polymer and a second polymer and wherein the first polymer has a higher melting point than the second polymer, solves the problem of providing a wound cleansing product with which a wound and the surrounding skin of a human or animal body can be gently cleaned.