Biocompatible Conductive Polymer Electrodes for Stable Micro-Current Wound Dressings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing micro-current wound-protecting dressings have unstable power supply due to metal electrodes, which can injure wound cells and have a short service life due to oxidation-reduction reactions, and are not biocompatible.

Innovation Solution

A micro-current wound-protecting dressing using biocompatible conductive polymer materials for electrodes, with a power supply module and control circuit for stable current generation, and a compact design for convenience and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal electrodes (zinc, silver) are used in the micro-current wound-protecting dressing, then the dressing can generate micro-current to promote wound healing, but the electrodes will injure wound cells and cause inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound healing effectVSAvoidinjury to wound cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the electrodes from metal (zinc, silver) to conductive polymer materials. This material substitution maintains the electrical conductivity needed for micro-current generation while eliminating the harmful mechanical injury and inflammatory response caused by metal electrodes contacting wound cells directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite conductive polymer materials that combine electrical conductivity with biocompatibility. These composite materials allow the electrodes to conduct micro-current effectively while being harmless to biological tissues, thus resolving the contradiction between generating therapeutic current and avoiding tissue injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If metal electrodes are used in the micro-current wound-protecting dressing, then micro-current can be generated to reduce inflammation and promote healing, but the electrodes will wear down due to oxidation-reduction reactions and have short service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound healing effectVSAvoidservice life of dressing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical stability parameter of the electrode materials by switching from reactive metal materials to chemically stable conductive polymers. This prevents oxidation-reduction reactions that cause metal electrodes to wear down and become inactive, thereby extending the service life of the dressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts conductive polymer materials that are resistant to degradation from oxidation-reduction reactions. These materials maintain their electrical conductivity and structural integrity over extended periods, eliminating the need for frequent replacement that would be required if metal electrodes were used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If active electrodes are used to form a primary battery structure for self-powered micro-current generation, then the dressing achieves miniaturization and integration, but the power supply becomes unstable and electrodes become easily inactivated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration levelVSAvoidpower supply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material properties of the electrodes from reactive metals to stable conductive polymers with consistent electrical properties. This ensures stable power supply by preventing the inactivation and degradation that occur with metal electrodes in the primary battery structure, while maintaining the miniaturized and integrated design.

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 dressing generates stable and controllable micro-current, is harmless to the body, and has a prolonged service life due to the use of biocompatible materials that prevent oxidation-reduction reactions, ensuring effective wound healing.

Implementation Method 1

materials used for the first electrodes and the second electrodes being biocompatible conductive polymer materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a power supply module provided on the dressing base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3479869B1Micro-current wound dressing and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 HENAN HUIBO MEDICAL CO LTD
  • EP3479869B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3479869B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3479869B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical supplies, and particularly to a micro-current wound-protecting dressing and a control method thereof. The micro-current wound-protecting dressing of the present disclosure comprises a dressing base body, a power supply module provided on the dressing base body, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are arranged in parallel, opposite to each other and apart from each other on the dressing base body; the first electrode is connected with a positive electrode, and the second electrode is connected with a negative electrode; and the first electrode and the second electrode are made of a biocompatible conductive polymer material. The method for controlling the micro-current wound-protecting dressing comprises outputting a voltage in the form of a high-speed short pulse through a control circuit, and is capable of controlling the duration of the high-speed short pulse voltage signal according to the specific use environment. During the using process of the dressing, the electrodes do not undergo oxidation-reduction reactions, do not wear down and have good stability, and the electrical conductivity thereof is not reduced in some special environments, which prolongs the service life of the entire dressing. Moreover, compared with an existing active electrode made of metal oxides, the electrodes are made of biocompatible conductive polymer materials, have good biocompatibility and are harmless to human body. The micro-current wound-protecting dressing of the present disclosure is portable and convenient to use, can generate stable and controllable current and has a long service life; moreover, the materials of the electrodes are harmless to human body.