Serum Delivery via Capillary Membrane for Wound Care

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound care systems lack a simple and efficient method for introducing blood serum into wounds without removing the dressing, while also enabling processes like rinsing, disinfecting, nutrition, electrolyte exchange, and detoxification, and ensuring safe handling.

Innovation Solution

A wound care system comprising a device for obtaining serum from whole blood using a blood bag with a filter module and a planar capillary membrane system connected to a supply line, allowing for the targeted introduction of serum into the wound, with the system allowing for easy handling and homogeneous distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex wound care system with multiple components is used to enable serum delivery, rinsing, and disinfection without removing the dressing, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wound care system is divided into distinct functional modules: a planar capillary membrane system for serum delivery, a foam material for absorption and structural support, and integrated supply lines. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system versatility without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capillary membrane system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers serum to the wound, allows for rinsing through the same structure, and maintains the moist wound environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each treatment modality, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If serum is introduced into the wound through a complex filtration and delivery system, then the precision and control of serum application is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprecisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes the body's own coagulation process to separate serum from blood automatically. When blood is introduced to the wound site, it coagulates in situ, with serum naturally separating and being absorbed by the capillary membrane system. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external filtration equipment while maintaining precise serum delivery control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The capillary membrane acts as an intermediary between the blood/serum mixture and the wound tissue. It selectively absorbs serum while allowing controlled delivery to the wound, simplifying the operation by providing passive, gravity-driven serum separation and delivery without requiring complex active filtration systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a capillary membrane system with supply lines is used for serum delivery, then the homogeneous distribution of serum in the wound is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneous distributionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planar capillary membrane system utilizes porous material properties to achieve homogeneous serum distribution. The capillary structure naturally wicks and distributes serum evenly across the wound surface through capillary action, eliminating the need for complex pumping or spraying mechanisms while ensuring uniform delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs hydraulic principles through the supply lines that deliver fluid to the capillary membrane. The fluid dynamics within the porous capillary structure naturally regulate serum flow and distribution, achieving homogeneous delivery through passive hydraulic action rather than active mechanical control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 direct and homogeneous delivery of serum to wounds, facilitating wound healing while ensuring safe and easy handling, and allowing for continuous or discontinuous serum application based on wound needs.

Implementation Method 1

a semipermeable membrane is arranged that divides the interior space into a retentate space and a permeate space, wherein the semipermeable membrane enables the separation of the fluid drawn from the blood bag into a permeate, which comprises the serum, and into a retentate, in which any particulate components possibly contained in the fluid remain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSemipermeable membrane separation: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

a planar capillary membrane system, wherein the planar capillary membrane system is connected to at least one supply line, so that liquids, media, gases and/or other substances can be passed through the supply line and the capillary membrane system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3294244B1System for treatment of wounds using serum
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3294244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3294244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3294244B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for wound treatment using a serum, comprising a device for recovering serum from whole blood, said device comprising: - a blood bag for the reception and the coagulation of whole blood, which has an outlet for discharging the serum-containing fluid from the blood bag and a barrier for holding back the coagulum in the region of the outlet, - a filter module which is fluidically connected to the blood bag and comprises a housing and an interior, in which a semi-permeable membrane is arranged, said membrane dividing the interior into a retentate area and a permeate area and separating the fluid discharged from the blood bag into a permeate comprising the serum and into a retentate, in which possibly particulate components contained in the fluid remain. The system for wound treatment further comprises a wound dressing system with a capillary membrane system for dispensing the serum to a wound. The capillary membrane system is connected to at least one supply line which in turn is connected to the permeate outlet of the filter module.