NPWT Canister Connection System with Nested Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems face challenges in providing a user-friendly, ergonomic, and compact canister connection system that allows for easy monitoring of fill-status during use, often being bulky and requiring a large footprint.
Innovation Solution
A disposable NPWT system with a canister connection mechanism featuring a pump unit and canister with engagement mechanisms, a canister adapter, and a sealing member, allowing for a fluid-tight connection and easy monitoring through a door with windows, facilitating a low-profile design and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a disposable NPWT system uses a traditional canister connection system, then fluid connection between pump unit and canister is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and requires a large footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The canister connection system employs a nested structure where the canister outlet is positioned within the pump inlet housing, and the sealing member is nested within the connection interface. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall footprint while maintaining reliable fluid connection between the pump unit and canister.
2Ease of operation
If a disposable NPWT system uses a compact canister connection system, then mobility and usability are enhanced, but user-friendly operation and ergonomic handling become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: engagement mechanisms for secure attachment, sealing members for fluid tightness, and alignment features for easy positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The canister and pump unit incorporate pre-positioned alignment tabs and corresponding receivers that automatically align the components during connection. This preliminary alignment action simplifies the user operation by eliminating the need for precise manual positioning, making the system both compact and user-friendly.
3Loss of information
If a disposable NPWT system uses a simple canister connection system, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to monitor canister fill-status during use is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The canister incorporates visual indicators that change appearance based on fill status, allowing users to monitor exudate levels without adding complex electronic monitoring systems. This maintains simplicity in the connection system while providing necessary information feedback.
4Ease of operation
If a disposable NPWT system uses a removable connection between pump unit and canister, then ease of canister replacement is improved, but fluid tightness and connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates pre-designed sealing members and alignment features that ensure fluid tightness is established before the user completes the connection action. This allows for easy removable connection while maintaining reliability, as the sealing action is facilitated by the pre-positioned components rather than requiring precise user technique.
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable NPWT canister connection system having a canister and a canister adapter. The canister includes a pump connection surface having a canister outlet. The canister adapter is operable to fluidly connect the canister to a canister connection surface of a pump unit. The canister adapter including a first pump engagement mechanism positioned and configured to removably engage the first canister engagement mechanism of the canister connection surface, a second pump engagement mechanism positioned and configured to removably engage the second canister engagement mechanism of the canister connection surface, and an aperture disposed between the first pump engagement mechanism and the second pump engagement mechanism. When the first pump engagement and second pump engagement mechanism of the canister are engaging the corresponding first canister engagement mechanism and second canister engagement mechanism, the canister is fluidly connected to the pump unit.