Viscoelastic Wound Closure Dressing with Pre-Stretched Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound closure devices require skilled handling and precise application to achieve proper stretching and adhesion, and existing elastic and shape memory materials can be cumbersome and difficult to apply, especially for less-skilled users.
Innovation Solution
A wound closure dressing with a viscoelastic backing that can be pre-stretched and maintained in that configuration using a support assembly, allowing for easy application without the need for manual stretching, featuring a skin-contact adhesive on the ends and a middle section free of adhesive for effective wound closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If elastic material is stretched and applied to skin for wound closure, then wound closure force is achieved, but application requires skilled handling and precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic material is pre-stretched to the desired degree before application, and this pre-stretched state is maintained by a carrier assembly during storage and application. This eliminates the need for the user to perform the stretching action and control the degree of stretch, thereby reducing skill requirements while maintaining effective wound closure force.
Solution Approach 2:
A carrier assembly serves as an intermediary device that holds the pre-stretched elastic material in its stretched configuration. The carrier assembly includes a first portion and a second portion that can be separated to release the elastic material onto the skin, facilitating easy application without requiring manual stretching or precise handling of the elastic material itself.
2Ease of operation
If pre-stretched elastic assembly is used for wound closure, then application is simplified, but the assembly becomes cumbersome and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier assembly is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can be easily separated. The first portion includes a tab for grasping and manipulation, while the second portion holds the elastic material. This segmentation allows the user to easily separate the portions, apply the elastic material to the wound, and discard the carrier, simplifying the overall application process despite the pre-stretched configuration.
3Ease of operation
If shape memory material is used to maintain stretched configuration, then application without stretching force is enabled, but thermal activation is required to apply closure force
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using shape memory materials that require thermal activation, the patent uses conventional elastic material that is simply pre-stretched and maintained in that state by the carrier assembly. The elastic material naturally exerts closure force when applied to the wound, eliminating the need for thermal activation or other complex triggering mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of application.
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
Enables less-skilled users to apply wound closure dressings effectively by maintaining a pre-stretched configuration until applied, ensuring proper wound closure without immediate rebound, facilitating easier handling and reduced risk of tension blisters.
Implementation Method 1
a viscoelastic backing (106) having a first major surface (107) configured to face skin when in use, a first end (110), a second end (112), and a middle section (114) located between the first end and the second end. The viscoelastic backing can recover, at room temperature: (i) no more than 40% of its deformation after 10 seconds, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes, and (ii) at least 70% of its deformation after 48 hours
Data Source
AI summary
A viscoelastic wound closure dressing. The dressing can include a viscoelastic backing having a first major surface configured to face skin when in use, a first end, a second end, and a middle section located between the first end and the second end. The wound closure dressing can further include a skin-contact adhesive on the first major surface of the viscoelastic backing adjacent the first end and the second end. A majority of the first major surface of the middle section can be free of the skin-contact adhesive. The viscoelastic backing can recover, at room temperature: (i) no more than 40% of its deformation after 10 seconds, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes, and (ii) at least 70% of its deformation after 48 hours, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes.