Reusable Cap for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

In resource-poor areas, the lack of built-in vacuum systems for negative pressure wound therapy necessitates the use of expensive portable suction canisters, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A reusable cap system that can be coupled with common receptacles like bottles, allowing for negative pressure wound therapy by connecting a negative pressure source to the cap, which in turn collects fluid from a patient's wound into the receptacle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive portable suction canisters are used in resource-poor areas, then negative pressure wound therapy can be performed, but cost and expense increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegative pressure wound therapy capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is designed to be compatible with multiple types of receptacles (bottles, containers) and can be used with different negative pressure sources, creating a universal interface that works across various settings and resource levels. This multi-functionality allows the same cap design to serve both hospital and resource-poor area applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables recovery and reuse of the cap component through sterilization processes, while the receptacle can be discarded after single use. This partial reuse strategy reduces overall cost by recovering the expensive cap component while disposing of the inexpensive receptacle, addressing both cost concerns and infection control requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of manufacture

If reusable caps are implemented, then cost and waste are reduced, but sterilization and infection control become more critical

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into reusable and disposable components: the cap is reusable and can be sterilized, while the receptacle is disposable and discarded after single use. This segmentation allows infection control to be maintained through proper disposal of the receptacle while enabling cost savings through reuse of the cap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle is designed as a cheap, disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need to sterilize it and ensuring infection control. This allows the more expensive cap to be reused and sterilized, optimizing the balance between cost and infection risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If built-in vacuum systems are used, then negative pressure wound therapy is effective, but infrastructure requirements and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegative pressure wound therapy effectivenessVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cap serves as a universal interface that works with multiple types of negative pressure sources, from built-in hospital vacuum systems to portable pumps. This universality allows the same cap design to function effectively whether connected to complex infrastructure or simple portable devices, reducing overall system complexity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides an affordable and efficient means of performing negative pressure wound therapy in resource-poor areas by utilizing readily available receptacles and allowing for the sterilization and reuse of the cap, reducing waste and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a base section configured to be fluidly coupled with both a negative pressure source and a wound of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250050009A1Reusable bottle cap for negative pressure wound therapy

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 HAAR JONATHAN

AI summary

A cap configured to be removably coupled with a receptacle for performing negative pressure wound therapy for a patient. The cap comprises a base section configured to be fluidly coupled with both a negative pressure source and a wound of the patient. The cap further comprises a coupling section extending from the base section, with the coupling section being configured to engage with a mouth of the receptacle. The cap includes an injection conduit extending beyond the coupling section, such that when the cap is mounted on the receptacle, the injection conduit is configured to be positioned within an interior of the receptacle.