Polymeric Strand NPWT Article for Tissue Growth at Lower Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) articles face challenges in promoting tissue growth while preventing new tissue ingrowth, often requiring high pressure settings and larger pumps, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A network of interconnected polymeric strands with protrusions and openings that deliver reduced pressure to the tissue site, applying microstrain and preventing new tissue ingrowth, allowing for lower pressure settings and smaller pump usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high pressure settings are used to promote tissue growth, then tissue growth is enhanced, but the pump size and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue growth rateVSAvoidpump size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump function is segmented into two parts: a small portable pump that creates vacuum, and the article itself (with polymeric strands and protrusions) that generates additional pulling force through mechanical engagement with tissue. This divides the force-generating function between the pump and the article, allowing a smaller pump to achieve the same effective tissue pull as a larger pump would provide alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric strands with protrusions act as an intermediary between the pump and the tissue. The protrusions mechanically engage with tissue to provide additional pulling force beyond what the pump alone can deliver, effectively amplifying the pump's output without requiring a larger or more powerful pump device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If high pressure settings are used to prevent tissue ingrowth, then tissue ingrowth is prevented, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue ingrowth preventionVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The force application is segmented between the pump (providing baseline vacuum) and the article's mechanical features (providing additional preventing force through protrusion engagement). This allows lower pump pressure settings while maintaining effective tissue ingrowth prevention, thereby reducing power consumption and extending battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The article changes the pressure parameter distribution by using mechanical engagement (protrusions) to provide localized force, allowing the overall system to operate at lower pump pressure settings while maintaining the same effective force on tissue, thus improving energy efficiency and battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional foam or pad structures are used, then negative pressure is distributed to tissue, but the structure is rigid and less conformable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidconformability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The article uses flexible polymeric strands instead of rigid foam or pad structures. These strands can bend and conform to the contours of the tissue and wound cavity, providing better adaptability while still maintaining the ability to distribute negative pressure effectively across the tissue surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The non-linear, curved configuration of the polymeric strands allows them to adapt to curved and irregular tissue surfaces, improving conformability compared to flat or rigid structures. The curvature enables the strands to follow tissue contours while maintaining structural integrity and pressure distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enhances tissue growth and reduces the need for high pressure, enabling longer battery life and smaller pump usage in NPWT systems by promoting microstrain and preventing tissue ingrowth.

Implementation Method 1

providing a negative pressure in proximity to a tissue site promotes the growth of new tissues at the tissue site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive layer in contact with the second surface of the interconnected polymeric strands; and a filler in contact with the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3723682B1Negative pressure wound therapy article with features

Publication Date: 2025.07.16 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

An article, including a network of interconnected polymeric strands; wherein each of the interconnected polymeric strands has a first surface adapted to contact a tissue site and a second surface opposite the first surface; wherein at least one of the interconnected polymeric strand has a plurality of features extending from the first surface of the interconnected polymeric strands; wherein at least one of the interconnected polymeric strands is non-linear; a plurality of openings between adjacent interconnected polymeric strands; an adhesive layer in contact with the second surface of the interconnected polymeric strands; and a filler in contact with the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer in between the network of interconnected polymeric strands and the filler; wherein the article is a negative pressure wound therapy article.