Non-Electric Suction Device for Wound Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reduced pressure wound therapy systems are bulky, noisy, and limit patient mobility due to their reliance on electrically-powered pumps, which are not suitable for maintaining a constant negative pressure amidst air leaks and fluid ingress.
Innovation Solution
A suction device with a suction chamber, a slidable seal, and a lubricant, along with a spring assembly and fluid absorption material, designed to maintain a constant pressure by reducing friction and containing exudates, allowing for non-electrically powered operation and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically-powered pumps are used to maintain negative pressure, then the negative pressure can be maintained constant, but the system becomes bulky, noisy, and limits patient mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electric pump from the system and replaces it with a passive mechanical seal assembly that uses a sliding seal to maintain negative pressure without requiring electrical power, thereby eliminating bulk, noise, and mobility restrictions
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding seal assembly automatically maintains negative pressure through its mechanical design, compensating for air leaks and fluid ingress without requiring external power sources or active control systems, enabling patient mobility while maintaining therapy
2Reliability
If electrically-powered pumps with pressure sensing means are used, then the negative pressure can be compensated for air leaks and fluid ingress, but the system becomes bulky and requires electrical power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure sensing means, controller means, and electrical power requirements from the system, replacing them with a purely mechanical sliding seal assembly that passively compensates for pressure changes through its design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical pump and electronic control system with a mechanical sliding seal assembly that uses friction reduction and mechanical advantage to maintain negative pressure, eliminating the need for electrical components
3Reliability
If a sliding seal is used to reduce friction, then the negative pressure can be maintained with minimal variations, but the seal may generate heat or wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lubricant as an intermediary substance between the sliding seal and the chamber wall to reduce friction and prevent excessive heat generation and wear, allowing the seal to slide smoothly while maintaining pressure stability
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 system effectively maintains a set negative pressure with minimal variations, even during fluid or air ingress, ensuring consistent therapy delivery and enhanced patient mobility without the need for electrical power.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device with a suction chamber, a slidable seal, and a lubricant
Implementation Method 2
along with a spring assembly and fluid absorption material, designed to maintain a constant pressure
Implementation Method 3
fluid absorption material, designed to maintain a constant pressure by reducing friction and containing exudates
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. The devices are capable of generating a substantially constant reduced pressure with low tolerance for pressure fluctuations. Also disclosed herein are reduced pressure therapy systems that comprise an alarm system to detect the depleted state of the suction device and provide an alert to the patient and/or practitioner.