Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Non-Visible Stealth Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative pressure wound therapy devices emit detectable signals that can disturb users or attract unwanted attention, such as in military or covert operations, by emitting visible light, sound, or communication signals.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a negative pressure wound therapy device with visual indicators that can transition to an operational state where it emits light only at wavelengths not visible to the naked eye, using infrared or other non-visible light, and can be controlled via buttons or automatically based on ambient light conditions, and optionally uses audio and tactile indicators without emitting audible sounds or communication signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual indicators emit visible light to indicate system status, then user awareness of therapy parameters is improved, but detectability by third parties increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of therapy parametersVSAvoiddetectability by third parties

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the visual indicators from visible light to infrared light. This parameter change allows the indicators to remain detectable to users through specialized infrared sensors while becoming undetectable to the human eye and conventional detection devices, thus resolving the contradiction between user awareness and detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism - infrared sensors that can detect infrared light but are not visible to the human eye. This intermediary allows the system to convey information to users without using detectable visible light, thereby maintaining stealth while preserving user awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If visual indicators are activated to show system status, then user monitoring capability is improved, but disturbance to user rest increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddisturbance to user rest

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light wavelength parameter from visible to infrared range. Since infrared light is not visible to the human eye, the visual indicators can convey system status information without disturbing user rest, especially during nighttime operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system can implement periodic or intermittent activation of the infrared indicators rather than continuous visible light emission. This periodic action maintains user monitoring capability while minimizing disturbance to rest periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If communication signals are transmitted to provide remote monitoring, then information transmission is improved, but detection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmissionVSAvoiddetection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses infrared communication as an intermediary transmission medium. Infrared signals can be transmitted for remote monitoring purposes but are not detectable by conventional electronic detection devices, thus enabling information transmission while reducing detection risk in military or covert operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 users to monitor therapy parameters covertly, maintaining stealth and reducing detection risk, while ensuring effective wound treatment.

Implementation Method 1

the one or more visual indicators can be configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths that are not visible to naked human eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4076572B1Systems for operating a wound therapy device in stealth mode

Publication Date: 2025.08.27 T J SMITH & NEPHEW

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AI summary

A negative pressure wound therapy system can include a housing and a source of negative pressure enclosed by the housing configured to aspirate fluid from a wound covered by a wound dressing. The system can have one or more visual indicators visible at the exterior surface of the housing, configured to indicate status of the system to a user. The system can also have electronic circuitry enclosed by the housing, the electronic circuitry configured to automatically, or in response to a request from the user, transition the system between at least a first operational state and a second operational state, wherein in the second operational state the one or more visual indicators are configured to not emit any light or to emit light at one or more wavelengths that are not visible to naked human eye.