Negative Pressure Assembly with Mechanical-Chemical Pump Sequencing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing negative pressure therapy systems face issues with inconsistent initial pressure attainment and susceptibility to pressure fluctuations, leading to discomfort for patients and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure assembly comprising a drape, sealing element, reactor, and mechanical/chemical pump assemblies that maintain and regulate pressure within a sealed volume, using a reactor to consume selected gases and a mechanical pump to draw air, with relief valves to stabilize pressure within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chemical pump is used to generate negative pressure, then the therapy can be maintained over time, but the initial negative pressure is not achieved quickly and the dressing seal cannot be verified immediately
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical pump is activated before the chemical pump to pre-establish negative pressure and seal verification. The mechanical pump rapidly creates negative pressure to confirm proper dressing sealing, after which the chemical pump takes over to maintain the therapy over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum generation process is divided into two distinct phases: an initial phase using a mechanical pump for rapid pressure establishment and seal verification, followed by a maintenance phase using a chemical pump for sustained therapy. This segmentation allows each pump type to optimize its specific function.
2Reliability
If strong negative pressure is applied to ensure therapy effectiveness, then wound healing is improved, but the patient experiences discomfort and the dressing becomes intolerable
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor continuously monitors the negative pressure within the dressing and provides feedback to a controller. The controller adjusts the pump operation to maintain pressure within a therapeutic range, preventing excessive pressure that would cause patient discomfort while ensuring sufficient pressure for therapy effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The negative pressure level is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adjusts the pressure level based on real-time sensor feedback, allowing the pressure to adapt to patient tolerance and therapeutic requirements, thereby optimizing both effectiveness and comfort.
3Device complexity
If a simple pump system is used to reduce device complexity, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the pressure cannot be maintained consistently over time
Solution Approach 1:
Two different pump technologies (mechanical pump and chemical pump) are merged into a single integrated system. The mechanical pump provides rapid initial pressure generation and seal verification, while the chemical pump provides sustained pressure maintenance, together achieving consistent pressure over time that neither pump could achieve alone.
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
Ensures consistent and stable negative pressure therapy by quickly achieving and maintaining target pressure ranges, enhancing patient comfort and therapy effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The reactor is configured to react with and consume a selected gas found in air
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical pump assembly has a pump chamber in fluid communication with the enclosed volume to draw air from the enclosed volume into the pump chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A negative pressure assembly includes a drape, a sealing element, a reactor, a valve and a mechanical pump assembly. The drape and the sealing element, when applied to the skin, cooperate to define an enclosed volume. The reactor is located so as to be in fluid communication with the enclosed volume when the drape is covering the dressing site. The reactor reacts with a selected gas found in air to consume the selected gas. The valve has a first operating state in which gas is drawn from the enclosed volume through the valve. The mechanical pump assembly includes a pump chamber fluidly connectable to the enclosed volume through the valve when the valve is in the first operating state. The mechanical pump is configured to fluidly connect with the enclosed volume and draw air from the enclosed volume into the pump chamber.