Surface Cross-Linked Superabsorbent Particles for NPWT Waste Solidification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices face issues with leakage and contamination due to inadequate solidification of wound exudates, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased medical costs, as existing absorbents do not fully solidify fluids and can be caustic, and gel block formation hinders complete solidification.

Innovation Solution

A portable NPWT system incorporating a container with a packet containing surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles that dissolve in aqueous liquids, releasing a solidifier to prevent gel block and include a sanitizer to neutralize contaminants, ensuring firm solidification and reducing exposure risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional absorbents are used in the container, then some liquid absorption is achieved, but complete solidification is not reached and leakage still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolidification completenessVSAvoidleakage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the absorbent material by using surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles instead of conventional absorbents. These modified particles achieve complete solidification of wound exudates while maintaining safety, resolving the contradiction between absorption capability and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material system consisting of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles combined with a packet matrix. This composite structure enables complete solidification of liquids while preventing leakage and contamination, addressing the reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If absorbents are added to solidify fluids, then solidification is improved, but caustic exposure risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolidification effectivenessVSAvoidcaustic exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the absorbent material through surface cross-linking, which reduces causticity while maintaining solidification effectiveness. This parameter change allows the absorbent to effectively solidify fluids without causing harmful exposure to patients or healthcare personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If gel block is allowed to form, then solidification process is simplified, but complete solidification is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolidification process simplicityVSAvoidsolidification completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the superabsorbent particles through surface cross-linking, which prevents gel block formation while maintaining a simple solidification process. This allows complete solidification of wound exudates without complex manufacturing or handling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If portable NPWT devices are made more secure against leakage, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable packet containing surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles that are discarded after use. This simple, single-use approach prevents leakage and contamination without adding complex mechanisms to the portable NPWT device, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The system effectively prevents leakage and contamination by ensuring complete solidification of wound exudates, minimizing the need for frequent container changes and reducing exposure risks, while maintaining permeability to prevent gel block, thus enhancing safety and reducing medical costs.

Implementation Method 1

a packet able to be housed within the container and a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles enclosed within the packet and releasable upon dissolution of at least a portion of the packet in aqueous liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

include a sanitizer to neutralize contaminants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutralization: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10279089B1Wound canister waste solidification system

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 STEWART SUPERABSORBENTS LLC

AI summary

The invention includes a negative wound therapy system including a container, a wound covering, a packet and a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles. The invention may be portable. The invention also includes a liquid solidification system for reducing gel block in NPWT systems. Methods of solidifying liquid medical waste from NPWT devices are also described and disclosed.