Segmented Wound Dressing for Volume Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound therapy systems face challenges in accurately determining the appropriate volume of instillation fluid for wounds and monitoring healing progression over time, especially when using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in combination with topical fluids.

Innovation Solution

A customizable wound dressing system with a manifold featuring intersecting perforations that divide into discrete blocks, allowing users to input the number of separated blocks to determine the volume of instillation fluid through a connected therapy device, which includes a pump and controller to deliver the fluid and apply negative pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size wound dressing is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different wound sizes and volumes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different wound sizesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wound dressing is divided into multiple discrete blocks that can be selectively removed to customize the dressing size and shape to match the wound. The manifold is segmented into blocks with intersecting perforations, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the instillation fluid volume is estimated without wound volume measurement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of fluid delivery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of instillation fluid volumeVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the wound dressing itself as the measurement tool. By counting the number of blocks in the customized dressing configuration, the system automatically determines the wound volume and calculates the appropriate instillation fluid volume, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices or complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual estimation of wound volume is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of wound volume deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of wound volume estimationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual estimation with an automated calculation based on the number of blocks in the dressing configuration. The controller automatically computes the wound volume and fluid delivery parameters based on the block count, providing precise measurement without adding complex mechanical measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a standardized wound dressing is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different wound shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different wound shapesVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold is manufactured as a grid of standardized blocks with intersecting perforations, allowing flexible configuration to match various wound shapes and sizes. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling high adaptability to different wound geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables precise estimation of wound volume and monitoring of healing progression by adjusting the volume of instillation fluid based on user input and block separation, improving wound treatment efficacy and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

The pump is operable to deliver an instillation fluid to the wound dressing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a type of wound therapy that involves applying a negative pressure to a wound site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS11628094B2Wound dressing for wound volume estimation

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A wound therapy system includes a therapy unit, a wound dressing and an optional controller. The therapy unit is configured to deliver instillation fluid to a wound site. The wound dressing is formed from a plurality of discrete, individual blocks that are selectively separable from one another along a plurality of separation-lines, allowing the wound dressing to be customized to the shape and size of the wound site. By calculating the remaining blocks that define the wound dressing following customization, the volume of the wound dressing may be determined. The controller may be configured to deliver fluid to the wound site based on this calculated volume. The controller may also optionally be used to gauge the healing of the wound site over time by monitoring the changes in volume of customized wound dressings as wound dressings are replaced during the course of treatment of the wound site.