NPWT Dressing Structure for Low-Cost Exudate Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wound dressings for negative pressure wound therapy are costly due to the use of materials like open-cell foam, spacer fabric, or nonwoven fabric for effective lateral distribution of wound exudate, necessitating a more affordable solution.

Innovation Solution

A wound dressing utilizing a flat material web section with elevations and end-face passage openings for lateral distribution of exudate, manufactured through vacuum thermoforming, allowing for effective and inexpensive exudate management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive materials like open-cell foam, spacer fabric, or nonwoven fabric are used for the distributor layer, then effective lateral distribution of wound exudate is achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral distribution of wound exudateVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous foam material for the distributor layer that provides effective lateral distribution of wound exudate. The porous structure allows fluid permeability while maintaining structural integrity, achieving reliable exudate distribution without requiring expensive alternative materials like spacer fabric or nonwoven fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The wound dressing utilizes a composite structure combining different materials in specific layers: a wound contact layer, a distributor layer with porous foam, and a cover layer. This composite approach optimizes each layer's function while controlling overall production cost by selecting cost-effective materials for each specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a complex distributor layer structure is used to ensure effective lateral distribution, then exudate management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexudate managementVSAvoiddistributor layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wound dressing is segmented into distinct functional layers: a wound contact layer for exudate collection, a distributor layer with porous foam for lateral distribution, and a cover layer for protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently, managing exudate effectively while keeping the overall device structure organized and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor layer incorporates a porous foam material with specific local properties optimized for fluid distribution. The porous structure provides targeted permeability and capillary action where needed, ensuring effective exudate management without requiring complex structures throughout the entire dressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides effective lateral distribution of exudate while maintaining patient comfort and reducing production costs, ensuring efficient wound exudate management and negative pressure maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a flat material web section (52), a first side (56) of which is structured by elevations (60) integrally with a plane of the flat material web section, an end-face passage opening (64) being formed in at least some of the elevations (60), in particular in all elevations (60), a contiguous interspace (66) being formed between the elevations (60) such that wound exudate is distributable in the spatial directions in the interspace (66)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

designed to distribute wound exudate in the spatial directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the negative pressure source can establish a negative pressure in the wound space and the receiving space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

The wound contact layer is in liquid-permeable form for discharge of wound exudate from the wound into the receiving space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid permeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS20260083897A1Dressing for use in the negative pressure therapy of wounds, negative pressure wound therapy kit, and negative pressure wound therapy system

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 PAUL HARTMANN AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a dressing (16) for use in the negative pressure therapy of wounds, having: a wound contact layer (28); an air-impermeable top layer (34), wherein a receiving space (36) is formed between the top layer and the wound contact layer, wherein the wound contact layer is designed such that it is liquid-permeable and draws wound exudate from the wound into the receiving space, and wherein a connection opening (26) is formed in the top layer; and at least one distribution layer (50) arranged in the receiving space, wherein the distribution layer extends in two surface directions (X, Y) and is designed to distribute wound exudate in the surface directions. According to the invention, the distribution layer is formed by a flat material web portion (52), a first side (56) of the flat material web portion is designed as a structure defined by elevations (60) that are formed integrally with a plane (54) of the flat material web portion, a terminal through-opening (64) is formed in at least some of the elevations, and a cohesive intermediate space (66) is formed between the elevations.