Switchable Drape Adhesive for Pain-Free Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional medical drapes used in reduced pressure therapy struggle to balance strong adhesion for effective treatment with minimal pain and disruption during removal, leading to potential leaks and discomfort for patients.

Innovation Solution

A switchable drape system with a high-strength adhesive and perforations that can be activated to reduce adhesive strength for easy removal, using a switching solution to decrease tackiness and facilitate pain-free removal while maintaining a strong seal during treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional medical drapes use strong adhesive for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but patient comfort during removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort during removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer transitions from a static strong-bond state to a dynamic switchable state, allowing it to change adhesive strength based on operational phase. The adhesive includes switchable components that respond to environmental triggers (temperature, pH, or chemical exposure) to reduce bond strength during removal, resolving the contradiction between strong sealing and comfortable removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive properties are made changeable by incorporating switchable polymers or chemical components that alter their adhesive parameters in response to external stimuli. This allows the adhesive strength to be high during application and sealing, then switch to low strength during removal, simultaneously achieving reliable sealing and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional medical drapes use weak adhesive for comfortable removal, then patient comfort is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfort during removalVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer transitions from a static strong-bond state to a dynamic switchable state, allowing it to change adhesive strength based on operational phase. The adhesive includes switchable components that respond to environmental triggers (temperature, pH, or chemical exposure) to reduce bond strength during removal, resolving the contradiction between strong sealing and comfortable removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive properties are made changeable by incorporating switchable polymers or chemical components that alter their adhesive parameters in response to external stimuli. This allows the adhesive strength to be high during application and sealing, then switch to low strength during removal, simultaneously achieving reliable sealing and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If switchable drape with switching mechanism is implemented, then patient comfort during removal is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfort during removalVSAvoiddrape structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is designed to automatically switch its adhesive strength in response to environmental triggers without requiring external control systems. The switchable polymers or chemical components self-activate based on temperature, pH, or chemical exposure changes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical switching mechanisms while achieving comfortable removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive properties are made changeable by incorporating switchable polymers or chemical components that alter their adhesive parameters in response to external stimuli. This allows the adhesive strength to be high during application and sealing, then switch to low strength during removal, simultaneously achieving reliable sealing and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 switchable drape system ensures a strong, leak-proof connection during reduced pressure therapy and minimizes pain and disruption during removal, enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer positioned between the outer layer and the skin and having a switchable property wherein the adhesive layer strongly adheres to the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

A switching solution is then applied to the first side of the outer layer to decrease an adhesive strength of the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical interaction reducing adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2790623B1Sealing systems and methods employing a switchable drape
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2790623B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2790623B1 patent drawingFigure 2~7
  • EP2790623B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sealing system that includes a switchable drape is presented. The drape provides enhanced sealing by using a high-strength adhesive. In one instance, the switchable drape has a plurality of perforations through which a switching solution may be delivered to the high-strength adhesive. The switching solution causes the high-strength adhesive to become less adhesive so that the switchable drape may be removed more easily. Other systems, methods, and drapes are presented.