Segmented Hydrogel Islands on Flexible Backing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art wound dressings comprising hydrogels suffer from poor flexibility, making them difficult to apply to various parts of the body while maintaining fluid handling and wound treatment properties.
Innovation Solution
A wound dressing comprising discrete, non-touching hydrogel islands on a flexible backing layer with optional supporting and absorbent layers, allowing for improved flexibility and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If scrim material is used to provide mechanical strength to the hydrogel, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous hydrogel layer is segmented into discrete islands that are spatially separated and do not touch one another. Each island contains its own supporting layer, creating a modular structure that maintains strength while improving flexibility and conformability to body contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting layer is placed locally within each discrete hydrogel island rather than as a continuous layer throughout the entire dressing. This localized placement provides mechanical strength where needed while leaving other areas flexible and conformable.
2Reliability
If continuous hydrogel layer is used, then fluid handling capability is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous hydrogel layer is divided into multiple discrete islands that maintain fluid handling capabilities through their collective presence. The gaps between islands provide flexibility while the islands themselves retain the ability to donate and absorb fluid effectively.
3Ease of operation
If discrete islands configuration is used, then flexibility is improved, but structural continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backing layer acts as an intermediary that provides structural continuity and support for the discrete hydrogel islands. The islands are arranged in an array on the backing layer, which maintains their positions and provides overall structural stability while allowing the islands themselves to remain flexible and discrete.
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 solution enhances the flexibility of wound dressings, enabling better conformity to body contours while maintaining effective fluid handling and wound treatment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrogels are macromolecular networks swollen partially or to equilibrium with a suitable fluid, normally an aqueous fluid. Hydrogels can swell in water but do not dissolve.
Implementation Method 2
hydrogels are useful in a number of biomedical applications, including but not limited to wound and burns dressings, biomedical electrodes and skin adhesives, particularly because of their ability to donate and absorb fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a wound dressing and composition comprising a backing layer having disposed thereon a discontinuous layer of hydrogel, wherein the discontinuous layer of hydrogel is in the form of discrete islands of hydrogel on the backing layer. Methods of treating a wound using the dressing or the composition are also disclosed. Methods of forming the dressing or the composition are also disclosed.