Perpendicular Fibrous Wound Dressing for Tissue Ingrowth

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound treatment technologies, such as negative-pressure therapy and instillation, face challenges in effectively managing tissue ingrowth and fluid removal, leading to prolonged healing times and discomfort during dressing removal.

Innovation Solution

A dressing system comprising a substrate, an adherent layer, and a fibrous layer with fibers oriented predominantly perpendicular to the surface, formed through a flocking process, which allows for efficient fluid removal and reduces tissue ingrowth, combined with a negative-pressure source and conduit for fluid management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a dressing is applied to a tissue site for fluid removal and treatment, then fluid management and tissue healing are improved, but tissue ingrowth into the dressing occurs, causing discomfort and complicating removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing speedVSAvoidtissue ingrowth

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to prevent tissue ingrowth through conventional means, the patent inverts the approach by designing a fibrous layer where fibers are intentionally oriented perpendicular to the substrate surface. This perpendicular orientation creates a structural configuration that naturally resists tissue ingrowth while still allowing fluid removal, thereby solving the contradiction between promoting healing and preventing harmful tissue ingrowth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a fibrous layer with specific regional characteristics - fibers are oriented perpendicular to the substrate surface in the region contacting the tissue. This localized perpendicular fiber orientation provides targeted resistance to tissue ingrowth at the critical interface while maintaining overall dressing functionality for fluid management and healing promotion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of time

If negative-pressure therapy is used to accelerate tissue growth and fluid removal, then healing time is reduced, but tissue ingrowth into the dressing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing timeVSAvoidtissue ingrowth

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the fibrous layer with perpendicular fiber orientation before applying negative-pressure therapy. This pre-established structural configuration creates resistance to tissue ingrowth in advance, allowing the negative-pressure therapy to accelerate healing without the usual harmful side effect of excessive tissue ingrowth into the dressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fibrous layer is added to the dressing structure, then tissue ingrowth is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue ingrowthVSAvoiddressing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous materials by employing a fibrous layer with interconnected void spaces between the perpendicular fibers. This porous structure effectively reduces tissue ingrowth by creating a physical barrier while simultaneously maintaining fluid permeability for efficient fluid removal. The porous configuration achieves the anti-ingrowth function without requiring complex multi-component structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 system enhances tissue healing by promoting fluid removal and reducing tissue ingrowth, thereby shortening healing times and minimizing patient discomfort during dressing removal.

Implementation Method 1

negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the dressing and configured to enable fluid removal through the dressing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a fibrous layer comprising fibers coupled to a surface of the adherent layer opposite the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlocking: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS11266537B2Dressing exhibiting low tissue ingrowth and negative-pressure treatment method

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A dressing for treating a tissue site, particularly a peritoneal or abdominal site, is disclosed. The dressing may comprise: a substrate; an adherent layer coupled to a surface of the substrate; and a fibrous layer comprising fibers coupled to a surface of the adherent layer opposite the substrate. Typically, the fibrous layer satisfies one or more of the following: at least 75% of the fibers are coupled approximately perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; at least 95% of the fibers in the fibrous layer have a length to diameter aspect ratio from about 10 to about 1000; and no more than 10% of the fibers are coupled approximately tangential to the surface of the substrate. Optionally, the fibrous layer may be formed by a flocking process. Methods of treating various tissue sites using the dressings and negative-pressure therapy are also disclosed.