Nitric Oxide Generating Wound Dressing Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved mechanisms to deliver nitric oxide (NO) effectively to wounds, particularly chronic wounds, as NO is short-lived and difficult to maintain at high concentrations due to its rapid oxidation, which hampers wound healing, especially in diabetic patients with lower NO levels.

Innovation Solution

A wound dressing with layers configured to generate nitric oxide over time, comprising a cover layer, an activator layer, and a dry nitric oxide source layer, often using nitrite salts like sodium nitrite, which releases NO when activated by acidic groups or moieties, facilitating sustained NO delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If gaseous nitric oxide is used to treat wounds, then nitric oxide can be delivered to the wound site, but the nitric oxide is rapidly oxidized to nitrogen dioxide and cannot be maintained at high concentrations for prolonged periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitric oxide concentrationVSAvoidduration of nitric oxide delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The wound dressing incorporates a nitrite salt layer and an activator layer with acidic groups in preliminary contact, but the actual nitric oxide generation is triggered only when wound exudate activates the system. This preliminary arrangement of components allows sustained generation over time without premature oxidation losses during storage or application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses wound exudate as an intermediary medium to activate the nitrite salt conversion to nitric oxide. The exudate provides the acidic environment needed for the reaction while also serving as the biological medium that delivers the generated nitric oxide to the wound tissue, avoiding direct contact with atmospheric oxygen that would cause oxidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a multi-layer wound dressing structure is used to sustain nitric oxide generation, then prolonged nitric oxide delivery is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of nitric oxide deliveryVSAvoidwound dressing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional layers into a single integrated wound dressing assembly. The nitrite salt layer, activator layer with acidic groups, and wound contact layer are merged into one device that works together synergistically. This integration maintains prolonged nitric oxide generation capability while simplifying application compared to separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wound dressing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the nitrite salt layer provides nitric oxide precursor, the activator layer provides acidic groups for conversion, the structure itself manages wound exudate, and the integrated assembly delivers sustained nitric oxide therapy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate devices or components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 wound dressing effectively generates and delivers nitric oxide to wounds, promoting healing by enhancing blood flow, antimicrobial activity, and tissue regeneration, even in diabetic patients with impaired NO supply.

Implementation Method 1

an activator layer, a dry nitric oxide source layer... The activator layer may comprise a hydrogel or a xerogel... configured to generate nitric oxide when the wound dressing interacts with fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The activator layer may comprise a hydrogel or a xerogel... configured to generate nitric oxide when the wound dressing interacts with fluid. The fluid may comprise wound exudate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250001152A1Wound dressing with one or more composite layers

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 T J SMITH & NEPHEW

AI summary

Disclosed embodiments relate to a wound dressing which can generate nitric oxide. The wound dressing may include a cover layer, an activator layer such as an acid providing layer and nitric oxide source layer, such as a nitrite providing layer. The activator layer may include acidic groups and may be hydrogel, xerogel, or other suitable material. The nitric oxide source layer may include a nitrite salt. Nitrite ions of the nitric oxide source layer may react with the acidic groups of the activating layer to generate nitric oxide. The wound dressing may further include a composite layer, such as a layer with an acquisition distribution layer embedded within an activator gel layer. Additional composite layers may include various absorbent materials embedded within an activator gel layer.