Passive Valve Assembly for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices are not suitable for resource-constrained settings due to their complexity, high cost, and requirement for trained personnel, making them inaccessible and unaffordable for patients in low-income populations and remote areas.
Innovation Solution
A simplified NPWT system that provides a single level of negative pressure, is portable, and has a streamlined user interface, eliminating the need for user input or expertise, with a passive valve assembly to maintain pressure within a predefined range and a reusable canister system that can be easily connected and disconnected, reducing production costs and increasing accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current NPWT devices are used, then wound therapy effectiveness is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase, making them inaccessible in resource-constrained settings
Solution Approach 1:
The NPWT device is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable control unit and disposable wound therapy units. This segmentation allows the complex control electronics to be isolated in the reusable unit, while the disposable units contain only simple fluid delivery components, reducing overall system complexity for the end user while maintaining therapy effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable wound therapy units that are pre-filled with negative pressure fluid and discarded after use. This eliminates the need for users to maintain, sterilize, or repair complex components, making the system suitable for resource-constrained settings while ensuring consistent therapeutic performance
2Reliability
If current NPWT devices are used, then wound therapy is provided, but high production costs and device weight reduce accessibility and affordability
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the heavy control electronics from the lightweight disposable therapy units, the actual wound treatment component becomes portable and easy to transport, while the reusable unit can remain stationary or be transported less frequently
Solution Approach 2:
Disposable units use lightweight materials and contain only essential fluid delivery components without heavy electronics, reducing transport weight and cost while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through standardized pre-configured designs
3Reliability
If current NPWT devices are used, then wound therapy is delivered, but requirement for trained personnel and stable power sources limits use in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable wound therapy units are pre-configured with negative pressure fluid and automated control mechanisms that require no user adjustment or training. The system self-regulates therapy delivery, eliminating the need for trained personnel while ensuring consistent effective treatment
Solution Approach 2:
Single-use pre-configured units eliminate the need for user training on device operation, sterilization, or maintenance. Each unit is ready-to-use and self-contained, making the system accessible to anyone regardless of medical training while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
4Device complexity
If simplified NPWT system is used, then device cost and weight are reduced, but pressure control precision must be maintained within predefined range
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical pressure regulation mechanisms with electronically controlled pumps and sensors that can precisely maintain pressure within predefined ranges through software control, achieving accurate pressure delivery with simpler overall hardware design
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electronically adjustable pressure parameters with predefined ranges that can be programmed into the reusable control unit. This allows precise pressure control without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring therapeutic accuracy
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 allows for effective wound therapy in resource-constrained settings without trained users, reducing device costs and weight, and enabling reliable operation without a stable power source, thereby increasing accessibility and reducing healthcare burdens.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump configured to supply negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
The application of continuous negative pressure (suction) over a wound area leads to the removal of exudate
Implementation Method 3
a passive valve assembly in fluid communication with (1) the vacuum pump, (2), the electronic pressure sensor, and (3) the vacuum connection to the wound, wherein the passive valve assembly is configured to maintain the vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum connection within a predefined pressure range
Data Source
AI summary
A negative pressure wound therapy system includes a wound dressing and a suction device configured to be in fluid communication with the wound dressing via a conduit to channel a fluid between at least the wound dressing and the suction device. The suction device includes a vacuum connection configured to be coupled to the conduit, a vacuum pump, an analog electronic pressure sensor in electrical communication with the vacuum pump, and a passive valve assembly. The passive valve assembly is in fluid communication with (1) the vacuum pump, (2), the analog electronic pressure sensor, and (3) the vacuum connection, and is configured to maintain the vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum connection within a predefined pressure range, and to passively inhibit fluid communication between the vacuum pump and the vacuum connection outside of the predefined pressure range.