Simultaneous Aspiration and Irrigation Wound Dressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wound therapy systems that sequentially apply aspiration and irrigation are less effective in promoting wound healing, as they lead to the pooling of deleterious materials and loss of beneficial agents, resulting in slower healing and weaker tissue growth, especially in chronic wounds.

Innovation Solution

A system for simultaneous aspiration and irrigation using a conformable wound dressing with a fluid flow path that applies negative pressure and delivers therapeutic agents directly to the wound bed, maintaining a continuous flow to remove harmful substances while distributing beneficial materials, such as cytokines and growth factors, to enhance wound healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sequential aspiration and irrigation are applied, then the therapy can be applied in a simple manner, but harmful materials pool in the wound and beneficial agents are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of therapy applicationVSAvoidpooling of harmful materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines aspiration and irrigation into a single simultaneous therapy application. The wound dressing includes both an aspirating layer with channels for fluid removal and an irrigating layer with channels for fluid delivery, allowing both functions to operate concurrently through a single applied device rather than sequentially

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes continuous simultaneous operation of both aspiration and irrigation. The interconnected channel systems maintain continuous fluid flow in both directions - harmful materials are continuously removed while beneficial agents are continuously delivered, preventing pooling and loss that occur with sequential interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Device complexity

If sequential aspiration and irrigation are applied, then the treatment process is simpler, but healing speed decreases due to loss of beneficial agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of treatment processVSAvoidwound healing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges aspiration and irrigation functions into a single integrated wound dressing device. The dressing contains both aspirating channels for fluid removal and irrigating channels for fluid delivery, combining what would otherwise be separate treatment steps into one simultaneous application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation where beneficial agents are continuously delivered to the wound while harmful materials are continuously removed. This continuous action prevents loss of beneficial cytokines and growth factors, maintaining their therapeutic effectiveness throughout the treatment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If sequential therapy is used, then application is easier, but tissue growth quality deteriorates due to weak new tissue formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of therapy applicationVSAvoidquality of tissue growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates aspiration and irrigation capabilities within a single wound dressing structure. The device includes an aspirating layer with channels for removing exudate and an irrigating layer with channels for delivering therapeutic fluids, allowing both functions to be applied simultaneously through one device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous simultaneous operation of both aspiration and irrigation. This ensures that beneficial agents remain in the wound environment long enough to support strong three-dimensional tissue structure formation, while harmful materials are continuously removed to prevent interference with tissue healing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This approach enhances wound healing by maintaining continuous removal of harmful substances and distribution of beneficial agents, promoting tissue growth with improved patient comfort and reduced inflammation, leading to faster and more effective wound closure.

Implementation Method 1

aspiration applies a negative pressure to the wound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a suction device, and wherein the suction device is in fluid communication with the interior of the conformable wound dressing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

irrigation cleanses wounds of materials that are deleterious to wound healing by diluting and moving wound exudate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIrrigation: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11013837B2Wound treatment apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 SMITH & NEPHEW PLC

AI summary

An apparatus and method for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds is provided. The apparatus and method include one or more of the following: simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, supplying of thermal energy to fluid circulated through the wound; supplying physiologically active agents to the wound; a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed; and application of stress or flow stress to the wound bed.