Plasma-Biocidal Wound Dressing for Non-Leaching Infection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound dressings for burn wounds are ineffective in preventing microbial colonization, cause trauma upon removal, and require frequent changes due to saturation, leading to patient discomfort and increased infection risk.

Innovation Solution

A yarn-based wound dressing with a non-leaching, biocidal coating applied via plasma technology, featuring a wound contact layer that prevents cream penetration and adhesion, combined with absorbing and evaporation capabilities to manage exudate and promote sustained antimicrobial protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing wound dressings are applied to burn wounds, then wound coverage is provided, but they stick to the wound causing trauma upon removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound traumaVSAvoidadhesion to wound
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wound dressing is divided into two distinct layers: a wound contact layer that provides non-adhesive properties to prevent trauma, and an outer layer for absorption and protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between adhesion and trauma prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the dressing have different properties tailored to their specific functions. The wound contact layer has non-adhesive, smooth properties to prevent trauma, while the outer layer has high absorption capacity. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction by providing adhesion where needed and non-adhesion where trauma prevention is critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of moving object

If existing wound dressings are applied to burn wounds, then wound coverage is provided, but they do not allow sufficient evaporation of water content from exudate leading to fast saturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear durationVSAvoidevaporation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer layer of the dressing incorporates porous materials with controlled pore sizes and distributions that facilitate water vapor transmission while maintaining structural integrity. This porous structure enables continuous evaporation of water content from exudate, preventing fast saturation and extending wear duration without compromising the dressing's protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If antimicrobial substances are physically incorporated into fibre bulk, then antimicrobial protection is provided, but substances leach out causing environmental problems and resistance development

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial protectionVSAvoidsubstance leaching
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical incorporation (mechanical mixing) of antimicrobial substances with chemical grafting methods. Antimicrobial agents are covalently bonded to the fibre surface through chemical reactions initiated by plasma treatment or radiation, substituting the mechanical incorporation process with a chemical bonding mechanism that prevents leaching while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing utilizes composite materials where antimicrobial agents are chemically integrated into the fibre structure through grafting. This creates a composite material system where the antimicrobial function is permanently combined with the textile substrate, preventing separation and leaching that occurs with simple physical incorporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If antimicrobial substances are physically attached to textile surface, then antimicrobial activity is provided, but compounds are gradually released causing environmental problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidcompound release
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Physical attachment methods are replaced with chemical grafting techniques where antimicrobial compounds are covalently bonded to the textile surface. This substitution of attachment mechanism eliminates gradual release and loss of substance, as the chemical bonds provide permanent fixation while maintaining antimicrobial activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding strength parameter is changed from weak physical attachment to strong covalent chemical bonding. This parameter change in the attachment mechanism transforms the release behavior from gradual diffusion to permanent fixation, eliminating substance loss while preserving antimicrobial function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 minimizes microbial growth, reduces wound trauma, allows extended wear without reapplication, and provides sustained infection protection, thereby reducing patient discomfort, medical workload, and mortality rates.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the substrate surface to an antimicrobial active compound reaction, including a step of subjecting the surface of the substrate to an environment resulting in either chain-transfer activation, radiation activation, photochemical activation, and/or chemical activation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma activation: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

exposing the substrate surface to an antimicrobial active compound reaction, including a step of subjecting the surface of the substrate to an environment resulting in either chain-transfer activation, radiation activation, photochemical activation, and/or chemical activation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation activation: Radiation

Implementation Method 3

exposing the substrate surface to an antimicrobial active compound reaction, including a step of subjecting the surface of the substrate to an environment resulting in either chain-transfer activation, radiation activation, photochemical activation, and/or chemical activation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical activation: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 4

wherein said substrate also forms a wound contact layer preventing said wound dressing to stick to a wound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion prevention: Adhesive

Implementation Method 5

wherein said combined substrate and contact layer also comprises absorbing and water evaporating capacities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 6

wherein said combined substrate and contact layer also comprises absorbing and water evaporating capacities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2519200B1Disinfecting wound dressing and process for preparing such
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
  • EP2519200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2519200B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for preparing a disinfecting wound dressing for the protection of wounds, such as burn wounds, ulcers and cuts. The process comprises the steps of providing a yarn-based substrate, subjecting a surface of the substrate to a plasma environment, thereby providing non-leaching and biocidal features to the substrate surface by exposing the substrate surface to an antimicrobial active compound reaction.