Ultrasonic Bubble Generator for Low-Pain Wound Debridement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current debridement methods for tissue sites are often painful, require high skill, and can be slow, especially for challenging wound locations, and may damage healthy tissue, while also being costly and having limited usage due to the need for enzymes or chemicals.

Innovation Solution

A system combining negative-pressure therapy with an ultrasonic bubble generator and UV light sterilizer to deliver micro-bubbles and ultrasonic waves to the tissue site, facilitating the removal of necrotic tissue without the need for enzymes or chemicals, thereby enhancing the debridement process while reducing pain and risk to healthy tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional debridement methods are used, then necrotic tissue can be removed, but the process is painful and requires high skill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of debridement operationVSAvoidpain to patient

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical debridement methods with ultrasonic wave-based debridement. The ultrasonic generator emits ultrasonic waves that travel through a fluid to the tissue site, where they mechanically disrupt and remove necrotic tissue without direct mechanical contact, thereby reducing pain and skill requirements while maintaining effective debridement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional debridement methods are used, then necrotic tissue can be removed, but the process is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebridement speedVSAvoidtime required for debridement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs ultrasonic vibration at high frequencies (typically 20-100 kHz) to rapidly disrupt and remove necrotic tissue. The ultrasonic waves create mechanical oscillations that fragment and detach dead tissue from healthy tissue, significantly accelerating the debridement process compared to conventional manual or surgical methods while reducing the time required for treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Productivity

If conventional debridement methods are used, then necrotic tissue can be removed, but healthy tissue may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebridement effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a fluid medium that can be selectively applied to the wound site, allowing ultrasonic energy to be delivered locally to the tissue site without affecting surrounding healthy tissue. The fluid acts as a transmission medium that confines the ultrasonic action to the target area, enabling effective necrotic tissue removal while protecting healthy tissue from damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If enzymes or chemicals are used for debridement, then necrotic tissue can be removed, but the method is costly and has limited usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebridement capabilityVSAvoidusage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces enzymatic and chemical debridement methods with a physical ultrasonic wave-based system. The ultrasonic generator can be configured to work with various fluid types (saline, antimicrobial solutions, etc.) and can be adapted to different wound types and locations, providing greater versatility and reducing dependency on specific enzymes or chemicals while maintaining effective debridement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a low-pain, efficient, and effective method for debriding tissue sites, reducing the risk of infection and environmental contamination, while promoting healing and tissue growth without the drawbacks of traditional debridement methods.

Implementation Method 1

generating micro-bubbles and ultrasonic waves in a fluid from the fluid source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic waves: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

generating micro-bubbles and ultrasonic waves in a fluid from the fluid source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic cavitation: Acoustic Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

reducing pressure in proximity to a tissue site can augment and accelerate growth of new tissue at the tissue site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

an ultra-violet light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV sterilization: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20230147519A1Wound debridement by irrigation with ultrasonically activated microbubbles

Publication Date: 2023.05.11 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A treatment system for debriding a treatment area of a tissue site and applying negative pressure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the treatment system may include an ultrasonic bubble generator fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source, fluid source, and a dressing. Fluid may be drawn from the fluid source to the ultrasonic bubble generator, whereby micro-bubbles and ultrasonic waves may be generated in the fluid before the fluid is instilled to the dressing.