Handheld NO Debridement Device with Segmented Irrigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound debridement devices are often large, costly, and inefficient, posing risks of unintended tissue removal and fluid splashing during use, and do not adequately prepare wounds for healing, particularly for chronic wounds.

Innovation Solution

A compact, handheld wound debridement device with an abrasive unit and integrated or externally added nitric oxide (NO) release mechanism, allowing for controlled and sustained NO delivery during or after debridement, using a variety of NO donors and activation methods to enhance wound healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large wound debridement devices are used, then debridement effectiveness is improved, but the risk of removing unintended tissue and device portability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebridement effectivenessVSAvoidunintended tissue removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the debridement function into separate modular components: a handheld debridement tool with abrasive elements and a separate irrigation/suction system. This segmentation allows precise control of the debridement action while isolating the irrigation function, reducing the risk of unintended tissue removal and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs localized abrasive elements (brushes, scalers, or blades) that can be precisely positioned and controlled by the operator. The irrigation fluid is delivered locally to the specific debridement site, allowing targeted treatment of only the intended tissue areas while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If large wound debridement devices are used, then debridement effectiveness is improved, but device portability and cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebridement effectivenessVSAvoiddevice portability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a compact handheld debridement module and a separate irrigation module. The handheld portion contains only the essential abrasive elements and minimal fluid delivery components, making it lightweight and portable while maintaining effective debridement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heavy and expensive base unit components (pump, power supply, control electronics) are extracted from the handheld device and placed in a separate stationary or mobile cart-based irrigation system. This extraction allows the handheld device to be lightweight and portable while the removed components provide the necessary power and fluid delivery functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If irrigation fluid is used during debridement, then tissue dislodgment efficiency is improved, but fluid splashing and contamination risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue dislodgment efficiencyVSAvoidfluid splashing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary suction system that captures irrigation fluid and dislodged tissue immediately at the treatment site. This intermediary suction function prevents the irrigation fluid from splashing outward, containing it within the local treatment area and directing it away from the operator and surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The irrigation and suction functions are merged into a single integrated handheld device or coordinated system. The irrigation fluid is delivered and simultaneously evacuated through the same or adjacent openings, creating a controlled fluid flow pattern that prevents splashing while maintaining effective tissue dislodgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If mechanical debridement alone is used, then tissue removal is achieved, but wound preparation for healing is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue removal efficiencyVSAvoidwound healing support
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges mechanical debridement with chemical/biological therapy by integrating nitric oxide delivery into the handheld unit. The nitric oxide is released during or after the mechanical debridement process, providing anti-inflammatory and healing-promoting effects that complement the physical tissue removal and prepare the wound bed for optimal healing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides continuous beneficial action by delivering nitric oxide immediately after mechanical debridement while the wound bed is freshly prepared. This continuous action ensures that the healing-promoting effects are applied at the optimal time when the wound is most receptive, extending the useful action from单纯的 tissue removal to active healing promotion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 device effectively removes contaminated tissue and bacteria, creates an optimal wound surface for NO action, accelerates healing, and provides safe, efficient, and personalized wound care with improved patient compliance.

Implementation Method 1

The wound debridement device has an abrasive unit which can be made from a broad spectrum of materials and/or structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

The device is configured to release the NO-releasing donor, preferably together with its activator compound, onto the wound site for subsequent release of a therapeutic dosage of NO in said wound site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP3560544B1Medical device for nitrogen monoxide (NO)-assisted wound debridement
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 BSN MEDICAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3560544B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a mechanical wound debridement device delivering nitric oxide with a predetermined temporal pattern. The invention further relates to a kit comprising the wound debridement device and a NO-release activator and an presealed arrangement comprising the device or the kit of the invention.