Transparent Reclosable Wound Dressing with Semi-Permeable Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound dressings require frequent removal, leading to skin damage, pain, infections, and hospital-acquired infections due to the use of tape, which is painful and increases the risk of adverse events and medical costs.
Innovation Solution
A disposable or reclosable wound dressing system with a base member adhered to the skin and a removable top member that allows for continuous observation and treatment without disturbing the wound, using a semi-permeable, transparent cover to reduce the need for tape removal and maintain sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional taped dressings are used to secure the dressing to the skin, then the dressing can be held in place, but the repeated removal of tape causes skin damage, pain, and infections
Solution Approach 1:
The dressing is divided into two separate components: a base member that remains adhered to the skin and a top member that can be removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the base member to provide continuous securement without repeated tape removal, while the top member can be changed for wound evaluation or treatment without disturbing the skin-adhered base member.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member acts as an intermediary between the skin and the top member/dressing materials. It provides a stable foundation that remains on the skin while allowing the top member to be changed without direct contact with the skin, thus mediating the interaction and preventing skin damage from repeated removal.
2Loss of information
If the dressing is removed for wound evaluation or changing, then the wound condition can be checked, but the removal increases the risk of hospital-acquired infections
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the dressing into a skin-adhered base member and a removable top member, the system allows wound evaluation through the transparent base member or by removing only the top member without exposing the wound to the same infection risks associated with complete dressing removal and reapplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member remains continuously adhered to the skin throughout the dressing change process, maintaining a protective barrier over the wound at all times. This continuous coverage eliminates periods when the wound is exposed and vulnerable to contamination during dressing changes.
3Loss of information
If frequent dressing changes are performed to monitor wound healing, then wound condition can be assessed, but the frequency of tape removal increases pain and scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the dressing into base and top members enables frequent wound monitoring by allowing the top member to be removed and replaced without repeatedly removing and reapplying tape to the skin. The base member's transparent or semi-transparent material allows visual assessment of wound healing progress without physical removal.
4Loss of information
If a transparent covering is used to allow wound observation, then continuous monitoring is possible, but the covering must remain permeable to moisture vapor
Solution Approach 1:
The base member incorporates a porous or semi-permeable membrane that allows moisture vapor to pass through while maintaining the transparent or translucent appearance. This enables the material to provide both visual access to the wound and proper moisture management to prevent maceration and promote healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member is constructed as a composite material combining transparency with moisture permeability properties. This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of wound visibility through the material and appropriate moisture vapor transmission to maintain a healthy wound environment.
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
Reduces pain, scarring, and infections by minimizing tape removal, decreases medical costs and waste, and allows for early identification and treatment of infections, improving wound management and patient independence.
Implementation Method 1
The covering portion is a semi-permeable thin film which allows moisture/vapour from the wound to pass through the covering. The rate of the moisture/vapour transmission from the wound is controllable by stacking the rings one upon the other.
Implementation Method 2
The covering portion is a semi-permeable thin film which allows moisture/vapour from the wound to pass through the covering.
Implementation Method 3
The base member 20 is adhered to a skin surface S of a person P
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A reclosable wound or skin condition dressing and treatment system (10). The system (10) has a base portion (20) that has a circumference and lower (22) and upper (24) sides, the lower side (22) carrying a first adhesive that is constructed and arranged to adhere to the skin (S), and the upper side (24) defining an adhesive release surface. There is a covering portion (30) that has a second adhesive on its lower side (32) that releasably engages with the release surface (24) of the base portion (20), and an upper side (34) that is a semi-permeable layer configured to cover a wound or skin condition (W) located in the open area (V) of the base portion (20). The semi-permeable layer (34) of the covering portion (30) is clear or translucent so that a caregiver can see through it to observe the skin, wound, skin condition (W) or dressing below.