Adhesive Patch Extracting Hymenoptera Venom via Osmotic Swell Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating insect stings, such as local anesthetics and vacuum devices, either provide only pain relief or are inconvenient and ineffective in removing poison, and there is a lack of patches specifically designed for expelling insect venom.
Innovation Solution
A patch with a poison-aspirating matrix and a swell layer that applies light pressure, containing a carbohydrate expulsion agent to draw out poison without attracting more insects, allowing for simultaneous treatment of multiple stings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a sugar cube is placed on the stung area to draw out poison by osmosis, then the poison can be extracted, but the sugar cube quickly crumbles or dissolves and requires manual pressure which limits treatment to one or two stings at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is divided into distinct functional layers: an outer adhesive layer for skin attachment, a middle matrix layer containing the carbohydrate expulsion agent for poison extraction, and an inner swell layer that provides pressure. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carbohydrate expulsion agent embedded in a matrix layer as an intermediary substance that facilitates poison extraction through osmosis. This agent is contained within the patch structure, preventing direct contact between sugar and the environment, thereby avoiding cube crumbles and insect attraction while maintaining extraction effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If a vacuum exhauster is used to create negative pressure for poison removal, then poison can be extracted, but additional mechanical stress is added to the already sore area and only one sting can be treated at a time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using negative pressure (vacuum) to extract poison, the patent employs positive pressure by incorporating a swell layer that expands to apply gentle pressure on the sting area. This inverted approach achieves poison extraction through osmotic pressure from the carbohydrate agent combined with gentle mechanical pressure, avoiding the harmful mechanical stress of vacuum devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch design with multiple stings capability is achieved by making the patch structure itself universal - it can be applied to multiple stings simultaneously across different body locations. The carbohydrate agent and swell layer mechanism works effectively for each sting independently, allowing treatment of multiple stings in parallel without requiring multiple separate devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a patch with local anesthetic is used, then pain relief is provided, but the poison is not removed from the sting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated patch: pain relief through local anesthetic and poison extraction through carbohydrate agent. The matrix layer containing the expulsion agent is combined with the adhesive outer layer and swell layer, creating a multi-functional device that simultaneously addresses both pain management and poison removal without requiring separate treatments.
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 patch effectively extracts poison from insect stings, providing relief by applying light pressure and using a carbohydrate agent that does not attract insects, enabling faster relief and treatment of multiple stings at once.
Implementation Method 1
a swell layer, which enhances the effect of the expulsion
Implementation Method 2
the sugar will draw out the poison by means of osmosis
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a patch for the expulsion of insect poison from the skin after stings from membranous insects (Hymenoptera). The patch is characterized in comprising a poison-aspirating matrix comprising an expulsion agent as well as a swell layer, which swells after the addition of a liquid through a hole on the top of the patch and thus adds a light pressure to the poison-aspirating matrix towards the skin, whereby a local and relieving effect is achieved. In one embodiment, the matrix further comprises a local anesthetic. The expulsion agent is e.g. a carbohydrate. The swell layer consists e.g. of a silica gel.