Segmented Foam Pad for Irregular Abdominal Wound Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing negative pressure wound therapy systems face challenges in effectively managing open abdominal wounds, particularly in terms of sizing the wound dressing to fit irregularly shaped wounds and ensuring non-adherence to internal organs.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure treatment system comprising a porous pad with detachable sections for customizable sizing, a minimally adherent wound contact layer with slits for fluid removal and pressure distribution, and a flexible drape for sealing the wound site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size wound dressing is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot fit irregularly shaped abdominal wounds
Solution Approach 1:
The foam pad is divided into multiple detachable sections that can be selectively removed to customize the size and shape of the dressing to match irregularly shaped abdominal wounds. This segmentation allows the single dressing component to adapt to various wound geometries without requiring multiple different dressing designs.
2Stress or pressure
If a porous pad is used for negative pressure distribution, then pressure distribution is improved, but adherence to internal organs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wound contact layer is designed with varying local properties: it has minimal adherence to prevent sticking to internal organs, while the foam pad provides negative pressure distribution through its porous structure. The slits in the wound contact layer create localized fluid channels that allow pressure equalization without requiring the contact layer itself to be highly porous.
3Reliability
If the wound contact layer is made adhesive, then sealing is improved, but removal causes wound damage
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible drape is introduced as an intermediary layer between the wound contact layer and the external environment. This drape provides the necessary sealing function while being non-adherent to the wound bed, thus preventing wound damage during removal. The drape acts as a mediator that maintains the negative pressure seal without directly contacting and adhering to the wound tissue.
4Area of stationary object
If the dressing is made to cover a large area, then wound coverage is improved, but fluid removal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses negative pressure (vacuum) applied through the foam pad to actively draw wound exudate and fluids toward the collection canister. This pneumatic force overcomes the reduced fluid removal efficiency that would normally occur with large-area dressings, maintaining high productivity across the entire wound surface area.
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 enables precise sizing of the wound dressing to fit irregularly shaped abdominal wounds, minimizes adherence to internal organs, and effectively applies negative pressure to promote wound healing.
Implementation Method 1
the porous pad is comprised of a porous material suitable for channeling wound exudate from a wound site to a source of negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
a flexible drape configured to be placed above the wound and sealed to the skin surrounding the wound
Implementation Method 3
a source of negative pressure configured to deliver negative pressure through the conduit to the wound site
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to the treatment of wounds using negative pressure. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide for a foam pad, which may be suitable for use in abdominal wound sites, and which may be sized in a dimensionally-independent manner. Additional embodiments provide for a wound contact layer, as well as a system for the treatment of abdominal wounds.