Sensor-Enabled Wound Dressing Encapsulation With Reinforced Connectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatments lack real-time sensor data collection for tissue monitoring, particularly in wound care, orthopedic treatments, and internal tissue repair, relying heavily on visual inspection which can miss underlying tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensor-enabled substrates into wound dressings and other medical devices, incorporating flexible electronic components and coatings to enhance data collection and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If sensor-enabled substrates are integrated into wound dressings, then real-time tissue monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional layers (wound contact layer with sensors, electronic tracks, connectors, and protective coatings) into a single integrated wound dressing assembly. This merging approach enables real-time tissue monitoring while consolidating complexity into a unified structure that can be applied as one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where electronic components (sensors, tracks, connectors) are embedded within and between the wound dressing layers. The wound contact layer contains sensors that are nested within the dressing structure, with additional protective coatings nested around these components, creating a multi-layered nested architecture.
2Productivity
If electronic components are placed on the wound contact layer, then sensor data collection is improved, but reliability of electrical connections deteriorates due to stretching and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic design elements including flexible electronic tracks and stretchable interconnectors that can accommodate movement and deformation of the wound dressing during wear. These dynamic components maintain electrical connectivity despite stretching, positioning changes, or conforming to body contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible electronic tracks and thin-film connector structures that can bend, stretch, and conform to the contours of the wound and surrounding tissue. These flexible components maintain structural integrity and electrical functionality under mechanical stress from movement or stretching.
3Strength
If connectors are coated with reinforcing material, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reinforcing coatings selectively to specific regions where connectors interface with the wound contact layer or other components. This localized reinforcement targets critical connection points without requiring complete coating of the entire dressing, thereby reducing material usage and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for encapsulating a portion of a wound dressing with biocompatible coating are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes applying a first coating on a first side of a flexible substrate of the wound dressing. The first side of the substrate can support a plurality of electronic components, electronic tracks, and connectors between the electronic components and electronic tracks. The first coating can be applied to at least one connectors. The application of the first coating can strengthen the at least one connector. The method can further include applying a second biocompatible coating on the first side of the substrate of the wound dressing and coating a second side of the substrate opposite the first side with a third coating, and coating at least some of the plurality of the electronic components with a fourth coating.