Nitric Oxide Transdermal Patch for Painless Debridement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing dead tissue from wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, are often painful and cause discomfort, and existing nitric oxide delivery systems for wound healing are cumbersome and not suitable for debridement.
Innovation Solution
A transdermal patch device and compositions that deliver nitric oxide, optionally combined with other compounds, are used to loosen necrotic tissue, allowing for easy removal while minimizing discomfort, using nitric oxide-releasing agents activated by body fluids or protic liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgical or mechanical debridement methods are used to remove necrotic tissue, then effective removal of dead tissue is achieved, but patient pain and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical debridement methods (surgical cutting, mechanical scraping) with a chemical/biological mechanism using nitric oxide to selectively loosen and separate necrotic tissue from healthy tissue. This substitution eliminates the need for forceful mechanical removal that causes patient pain while maintaining effective debridement through the unique ability of nitric oxide to target necrotic tissue specifically.
Solution Approach 2:
Nitric oxide acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the debridement goal and the patient's healthy tissue. It selectively interacts with necrotic tissue to loosen its adhesion to healthy tissue, enabling painless removal. The intermediary prevents direct harmful mechanical contact between debridement tools and sensitive tissue while achieving the desired tissue separation.
2Productivity
If exogenous enzymes such as papain or collagenase are applied to facilitate tissue removal, then necrotic tissue degradation is enhanced, but healthy tissue is also attacked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by enabling nitric oxide to exert its tissue-loosening effect selectively only at the necrotic tissue site. The gas penetrates and accumulates specifically in necrotic tissue, loosening its adhesion to healthy tissue without affecting the healthy tissue itself. This localized action ensures high productivity in necrotic tissue removal while preventing harm to healthy tissue.
3Reliability
If gaseous nitric oxide is delivered using external gas chambers, then wound healing is stimulated, but device complexity and patient inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of nitric oxide delivery from the complex external gas chamber system and implements it through a simple topical application method. By removing the cumbersome gas delivery infrastructure and using direct topical application of nitric oxide or its precursors, the patent maintains the reliable wound healing stimulation effect while dramatically reducing device complexity and patient inconvenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified nitric oxide delivery system allows the treatment to be self-contained and easily applicable by the patient or caregiver without requiring complex external gas delivery equipment. The nitric oxide or its precursors are applied directly to the wound and naturally released or converted at the treatment site, eliminating the need for external gas chambers, fluidic connections, and power sources.
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 method effectively loosens and facilitates the removal of necrotic tissue without harming healthy skin, reducing pain and psychological distress, and can be used in conjunction with existing debridement processes.
Implementation Method 1
dosing wound tissue with an effective amount of nitric oxide, wherein the nitric oxide loosens necrotic wound tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods for removal of dead tissue from wounds or skin using topical nitric oxide donor devices and/or compositions. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a transdermal patch device that is designed to deliver nitric oxide. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to one or more devices and/or compositions that are designed to deliver nitric oxide and optionally one or more other compounds, where such devices/compositions include, without limitation, bandages, layered bandages, adhesive bandages, transdermal patches, creams, ointments, or a any combination of two or more thereof.