Rotatable Wound Protector Segmentation Dynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wound protection elements are not adaptable to the morphology of the human body, particularly curved areas, leading to ineffectiveness, discomfort, and easy detachment, and they fail to protect wounds from shocks while preventing clothing and bandages from getting dirty.

Innovation Solution

A rigid or semi-rigid protective element made of optically transparent or translucent polymeric material, such as PET or PVC, with a concave covering portion and rotatable peripheral areas that can be anchored to the skin using independent fins, allowing for adjustable spacing from the wound and flexibility to fit various body shapes, while preventing contact with clothing and bandages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid devices are used to protect wounds from shocks and prevent contact with bandages, then wound protection is improved, but adaptability to different body areas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound protectionVSAvoidadaptability to body areas

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element is divided into multiple independent peripheral areas (at least three) that can rotate independently relative to each other and to the front and rear areas. This segmentation allows each area to adapt to the contours of different body parts while maintaining overall structural integrity and wound protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective element incorporates rotatable peripheral areas that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation. These movable areas are connected through rotation sections that allow the structure to adapt to curved surfaces and different body morphologies, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adaptable one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the protective element is made rigid to prevent contact with bandages, then shock protection is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element is constructed from a single laminar element of polymeric material that provides rigid protection when needed but can be manufactured using standard plastic forming techniques. The material itself provides the necessary rigidity for shock protection while allowing for cost-effective production through conventional manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the protective element is made adaptable to curved areas with rotatable parts, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to body areasVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element is divided into multiple independent peripheral areas (at least three) that can rotate independently relative to each other and to the front and rear areas. This segmentation allows each area to adapt to the contours of different body parts while maintaining overall structural integrity and wound protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective element incorporates rotatable peripheral areas that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation. These movable areas are connected through rotation sections that allow the structure to adapt to curved surfaces and different body morphologies, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adaptable one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11766368B2Rigid or semi-rigid protecting element for covering wounds

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 PHARMADOME SRL

AI summary

A protecting element for wounds includes a rigid or semi-rigid substantially concave covering portion adapted to be anchored so as to face a wound and to be spaced therefrom, and anchoring members of the covering portion adapted to be anchored to the skin surrounding the wound to be protected. In particular, the anchoring members include at least one pair of movable fins that are independent from each other and are rotatably coupled to the covering portion.