Low Dose Tissue Oxygenation System with Dynamic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue oxygenation methods for difficult-to-heal wounds, such as those due to diabetes, venous stasis, and pressure ulcers, are limited by their inability to provide continuous and adjustable oxygen delivery, often resulting in suboptimal wound healing due to restricted blood supply and oxygen availability.
Innovation Solution
A low dose tissue oxygenation system with a micro-bore tube and flexible, oxygen-permeable membrane, connected to an electrochemical oxygen concentrator that adjusts oxygen flow rates based on real-time monitoring of wound site oxygen partial pressure and temperature, ensuring a controlled hyperoxia environment without exceeding safe oxygen pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an advanced wound dressing with lower moisture vapor permeability is used to provide wound enclosure and manage exudate, then wound moisture control and bioburden control are improved, but oxygen availability to the wound bed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an oxygen delivery system as an intermediary component between the external environment and the wound bed. This system includes an oxygen source, delivery tubing with a needle insertion through the dressing, and a flow control mechanism. The intermediary oxygen delivery system allows oxygen to be supplied directly to the wound site without requiring the dressing to have high oxygen permeability, thus resolving the contradiction between moisture control and oxygen availability.
2Quantity of substance
If topical hyperbaric oxygen is applied using a sealed chamber with high flow pure oxygen to increase oxygen availability, then oxygen delivery to the wound site is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and can only supply oxygen intermittently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of oxygen delivery from the cumbersome sealed chamber system. Instead of using a large hyperbaric chamber, the invention takes out only the critical components: a compact oxygen source, narrow-bore tubing for delivery, and a simple flow control mechanism. This extracted oxygen delivery system can be easily applied to the wound site and provides continuous oxygen supply without the bulk and complexity of a full hyperbaric chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hyperbaric chamber system with a simpler oxygen delivery mechanism. Instead of pressurizing a large chamber mechanically, the invention uses a controlled flow of oxygen through narrow-bore tubing with flow control. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical pressurization systems while achieving the same therapeutic effect of increased oxygen delivery to the wound site.
3Productivity
If oxygen flow rate is increased to accelerate wound healing, then wound healing speed is improved, but excessive oxygen pressure can occlude arterial circulation and cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of oxygen delivery through a flow control mechanism that allows adjustment of oxygen flow rate. The system includes a flow control valve or regulator that enables the oxygen flow to be dynamically adjusted based on wound healing progress and patient response. This dynamic control ensures optimal oxygen delivery for accelerating healing while preventing excessive pressure that could occlude arterial circulation and cause tissue damage.
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 system enhances wound healing by maintaining optimal oxygen levels, preventing tissue damage from excessive oxygen pressure, and allowing for continuous, adjustable oxygen delivery, thereby accelerating the healing process and promoting tissue viability.
Implementation Method 1
The variable oxygen flow rate is supplied from an electrochemical oxygen concentrator utilizing an ion exchange membrane
Implementation Method 2
The tubing may include a generally flat, flexible, oxygen permeable tape or membrane section attached at the distal end of the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-invasive tissue oxygenation system for accelerating the healing of damaged tissue and to promote tissue viability is disclosed herein. The system is comprised of a lightweight portable electrochemical oxygen concentrator, a power management system, microprocessors, memory, a pressure sensing system, an optional temperature monitoring system, oxygen flow rate/oxygen partial pressure monitoring and control system, a display screen and key pad navigation controls as a means of providing continuous variably controlled low dosages of oxygen to a wound site and monitoring the healing process.