Segmented Compression Dressing With Bridge Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reduced-pressure therapy systems for treating tissue sites, such as wounds, face challenges in efficiently managing fluid and pressure distribution, leading to suboptimal healing times and increased risk of infection due to fluid accumulation and uneven pressure application.

Innovation Solution

A bridge assembly with a storage bridge that includes a bridge envelope, absorbent, and sealing member, which defines an internal volume and passageway for fluid communication, coupled with a dressing and conduit interface, allows for efficient fluid management and pressure distribution, enhancing tissue healing by facilitating the migration of epithelial and subcutaneous tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compression is applied to the dressing to reduce swelling and improve venous return, then therapeutic effect is improved, but the dressing may become dislodged or cause discomfort to the patient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoiddiscomfort and dislodgement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into multiple segments including a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and intermediate portions with bridges. These segments can move independently relative to each other, allowing the dressing to accommodate swelling and body movements without becoming dislodged, while still maintaining compression therapy effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing incorporates dynamic elements such as bridges that can deform and move with body movements and swelling. The intermediate portions are configured to move relative to each other, creating a dynamic system that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining therapeutic compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the dressing is made rigid to maintain structural integrity and compression, then compression stability is improved, but comfort and adaptability to body movements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to body movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is segmented into multiple portions connected by bridges, allowing each segment to maintain structural integrity for stable compression while the connections between segments provide flexibility for body movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate portions and bridges are designed as flexible elements that can deform and move with body contours and movements, while the overall dressing structure maintains sufficient rigidity to provide stable compression therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the dressing is made loose to prevent dislodgement and improve comfort, then patient comfort is improved, but compression effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidcompression effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic configuration of intermediate portions that can move relative to each other allows the dressing to remain comfortable during body movements while automatically maintaining appropriate compression levels through the elastic properties of the material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If bridges are added to connect intermediate portions, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddressing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is segmented into manageable portions connected by simple bridge structures. This segmentation provides structural stability while keeping each individual component relatively simple, balancing overall structural integrity with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3747412B1Bridge for medical system and dressing for use under compression
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3747412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3747412B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3747412B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

There is provided a bridge for treating a tissue site, the bridge comprising a receiving end and a transmitting end separated by a length; a bridge sealing member extending along the length and defining an internal passageway in fluid communication between the receiving end and the transmitting end, the bridge sealing member comprising a first sealing layer and a second sealing layer positioned opposite the first sealing layer; and one or more bridge wicking layers disposed within the bridge sealing member, at least a portion of each of the one or more bridge wicking layers spaced apart from the bridge sealing member; wherein the one or more bridge wicking layers comprise a first bridge wicking layer and a second bridge wicking layer, wherein the first bridge wicking layer has a surface area that is greater than a surface area of the second bridge wicking layer, wherein the first bridge wicking layer has a density that is greater than a density of the second bridge wicking layer, and wherein the first bridge wicking layer is adapted to be positioned underneath the second bridge wicking layer.