Reduced Pressure Adapter Lumen Segmentation for RPWT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reduced pressure wound treatment systems face challenges in accurately monitoring pressure levels at the tissue site due to fluid flow within the primary lumen, which can lead to inaccurate pressure measurements and potential blockages in the measurement lumen, causing instability and shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a reduced pressure adapter with separate lumens for pressure delivery and measurement, featuring channel elements that direct liquids into the primary conduit, preventing blockages in the ancillary conduits, and includes dynamic pressure control with dual pressure sensors and solenoid valves to maintain reliable pressure monitoring and clear blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single lumen is used for both pressure delivery and measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure measurement accuracy deteriorates due to fluid flow interference and blockage risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelumen configurationVSAvoidpressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter divides the single lumen into separate lumens: a primary lumen for fluid delivery and ancillary lumens for pressure measurement. This segmentation allows independent function optimization, preventing fluid flow in the primary lumen from interfering with pressure measurements in the ancillary lumens, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure measurement function is extracted from the fluid delivery lumen and placed into separate ancillary lumens. This extraction isolates the measurement pathway from the harmful fluid flow and potential blockages in the primary delivery lumen, ensuring accurate pressure monitoring without compromising the delivery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the measurement lumen is positioned centrally for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to higher risk of liquid ingress and blockages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubing connectionVSAvoidpressure monitoring continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ancillary lumens are positioned asymmetrically at the periphery of the adapter rather than centrally. This asymmetric peripheral positioning reduces the risk of liquid ingress during high-flow conditions while maintaining accessible connection points, thereby improving reliability without completely sacrificing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Channel elements act as intermediaries that redirect liquid flow away from the ancillary lumens toward the primary lumen. These channel structures serve as mediators between the liquid flow path and the measurement lumens, preventing direct liquid ingress into the ancillary lumens while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If reduced pressure is applied continuously for effective wound treatment, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of lumen blockages and system instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound treatment effectivenessVSAvoidsystem operational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates pressure sensors connected to the ancillary lumens that continuously monitor pressure levels and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect blockages or abnormalities in real-time and respond by adjusting or interrupting the reduced pressure application, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling continuous effective treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system can implement periodic cycling of reduced pressure application rather than continuous application. This periodic action allows intervals for clearing potential blockages and resetting the system, maintaining operational reliability while still achieving effective wound treatment through repeated therapeutic cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This design enhances the reliability of reduced pressure wound treatment by preventing liquid ingress into measurement lumens, ensuring accurate pressure monitoring and maintaining therapy stability, even under extreme conditions, and allows for easy repositioning of the tubing and detection of microorganisms.

Implementation Method 1

reduced pressure source (a vacuum pump, typically)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

coordinated monitoring of the pressure present at the tissue site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3932441B1Systems for improved connection to wound dressings in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment

Publication Date: 2024.08.21 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

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AI summary

Described are improvements to the structure and functionality of a reduced pressure adapter used to connect a distribution manifold and a reduced pressure source instrumentation in a reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) system. The reduced pressure adapter reduces instances of unintentional liquid ingress into ancillary lumens of a reduced pressure delivery tube, while channeling the liquid to a primary lumen of the reduced pressure delivery tube.