Segmented Support Frame for Medical Dressing Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dressings often struggle with secure adhesion to skin and medical devices due to the stiffening effect of the support film, which hampers shaping of the fixing web and leads to premature removal.
Innovation Solution
The support means only partially surrounds the outer surface, creating an exposed shaping surface that allows the fixing web to conform to skin and medical devices without interference, while the support means remains connected to the covering means for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a support film covers the complete outer surface of the fixing web, then the fixing surface is protected from folding and sticking, but the fixing web cannot conform to skin contours and fails to attach securely
Solution Approach 1:
The support film is segmented into a support frame with open structures rather than a continuous covering. The support frame comprises a first support element extending along a first edge and a second support element extending along a second edge, creating an open framework that provides stability at boundaries while leaving the central shaping surface exposed for contour adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixing web are given different properties: the edges are supported by the support frame to prevent folding and sticking, while the central shaping surface remains exposed to allow conforming to skin contours. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
2Strength
If the support film is stiff, then it prevents folding and sticking of the fixing surface, but it hampers shaping of the fixing web to skin and medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The support film is divided into a segmented support frame structure rather than a continuous stiff covering. This segmentation allows the support elements to provide necessary stiffness at the edges while leaving the shaping surface flexible and accessible for conforming to contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame uses thin film elements that provide structural support while maintaining flexibility. The first and second support elements are configured to provide minimal support that prevents folding without creating excessive stiffness that would hamper shaping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support means is removed completely from the outer surface, then the fixing web can conform freely to contours, but the fixing surface may fold over and stick to itself during application
Solution Approach 1:
The support means is segmented into a support frame with discrete support elements rather than a continuous covering. This provides localized support at the edges to prevent folding while leaving the shaping surface exposed for contour adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support film is extracted from a complete covering into a minimal support frame structure. Only the essential support function at the edges is retained, while the excess material that causes stiffness is removed.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A dressing for application to human or animal skin and/or to medical devices, comprising a fixing web provided with an adhesive on a fixing surface, covering means removably attached to the fixing surface, and support means connected to the covering means and removably attached to an outer surface of the fixing web facing away from the fixing surface, wherein the outer surface has an exposed shaping surface which is at least partially surrounded by the support means.