Perforated Hydrogel Wound Dressing for Moisture Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound care dressings that combine hydrogel and absorbent materials face issues such as hydrogel drying out due to water absorption, reduced absorbency, and occlusive properties that inhibit breathability and increase infection risk, particularly for exuding wounds.

Innovation Solution

A wound care dressing design featuring a hydrogel layer sheet with perforations, a polyurethane foam layer sheet, and a polyurethane cover film layer sheet that allows vapor escape, preventing moisture and bacterial invasion while maintaining hydrogel integrity and absorption capacity, allowing for extended wear without increasing infection risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrogel is combined with absorbent means to control absorption quality, then absorption capacity is improved, but hydrogel dries out due to water absorption by absorbent means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidhydrogel moisture content
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into distinct functional layers: a hydrogel layer for moisture retention and a separate absorbent foam layer for exudate absorption. This segmentation prevents the absorbent means from directly contacting and depleting water from the hydrogel, thereby maintaining hydrogel moisture content while preserving absorption capacity through the foam layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separating film layer is introduced as an intermediary between the hydrogel layer and the absorbent foam layer. This intermediate layer allows the absorbent foam to function independently without directly extracting water from the hydrogel, thus preventing hydrogel drying while maintaining the absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If hydrocolloid dressing is used to absorb exudate, then absorption capacity is improved, but skin breathability is reduced due to occlusive properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidskin breathability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent foam layer is designed with a porous structure that allows water vapor to pass through while still providing absorption capacity. This porous configuration enables the dressing to maintain breathability and prevent occlusion, while the foam material itself provides the necessary exudate absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Quantity of substance

If absorbent means is added to hydrogel dressing, then absorption quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption qualityVSAvoiddressing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel layer and absorbent foam layer are combined into a single integrated dressing structure where both materials work together synergistically. The hydrogel provides moisture retention and a soothing environment, while the foam provides absorption, creating a unified dressing that achieves superior absorption quality without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 dressing achieves improved absorption, prolonged wear time, enhanced patient comfort, and effective autolytic debridement, promoting wound healing and granulation while preventing infection and moisture entry.

Implementation Method 1

the polyurethane foam layer sheet... allows passage of water vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a polyurethane cover film layer sheet... which allows passage of water vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

a hydrogel layer sheet attached to the bottom side of the separating film layer sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the matrix layer has a plurality of perforations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP2552371B1A wound care dressing, a method and a production line for manufacturing the wound care dressing
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 PHARMAPLAST SAE
  • EP2552371B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2552371B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2552371B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A wound care dressing comprising at least a separating film layer sheet (2) having a topside (4) and a bottom side (3) both provided with an adhesive (5,6), a hydrogel layer sheet (7) attached to the bottom side (3) of the separating film layer sheet (2) to form a combined matrix layer (16), and where the matrix layer (16) has a plurality of perforations (9), serves for improved wound care regime in particular when used at moist and/or exuding wounds. A foam layer sheet (14a) is attached to the topside (4) of the separating layer sheet (2) and covered by a cover film layer sheet (14b; 43) to allow fluid to pass via the perforations (9) into the foam layer sheet (14a) and to evaporate through the cover film layer sheet (14b;43). A method and a production line are also disclosed. Preferred embodiments include perforations made by means of ultrasound.