Water-Absorbing Stress-Distributing Layer for Surgical Tissue Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical incise drapes fail to effectively protect skin from trauma caused by high compressive and stretching forces during tissue retraction in minimally invasive procedures, leading to tissue necrosis, bruising, and postoperative pain.
Innovation Solution
A stress-distributing layer, comprising a hydrogel, hydrocolloid, or their combination, is applied to the skin to distribute these forces over a broader area, preventing the drape from tearing and ensuring adherence during tissue retraction, thereby reducing incisional stress and trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical incise drapes are made conformable with high adherence to the skin, then the drape allows surgical skin retraction without lifting along the incisional edges, but the material cannot protect the skin from trauma due to high compressive and stretching forces during tissue retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a conformable adhesive drape layer with a separate stress-distributing layer made of water-absorbing materials (hydrogel, hydrocolloid, or superabsorbent polymer). This composite structure allows the adhesive layer to maintain drape adherence while the stress-distributing layer protects the skin from trauma by absorbing water and distributing compressive and stretching forces during tissue retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The stress-distributing layer acts as an intermediary between the retractor and the skin. This intermediate layer absorbs the harmful mechanical forces through water absorption and distribution, preventing direct transmission of trauma to the skin while maintaining the functional performance of the adhesive drape.
2Productivity
If a shorter incision is used in minimally invasive surgery, then patient recovery is accelerated and costs are reduced, but tissue trauma at and near the incisional edge is greater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the stress-distributing layer specifically at the incisional site where trauma occurs. The water-absorbing material is positioned locally around the incision to distribute forces precisely where needed, protecting the vulnerable tissue edges while allowing the rest of the surgical procedure to proceed with minimally invasive techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The stress-distributing layer is applied to the skin before the surgical incision is made. This beforehand cushioning with water-absorbing material prepares the tissue to withstand the trauma that will occur during retraction, absorbing forces as they are applied and preventing direct damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
3Ease of operation
If prolonged retraction under significant force is applied, then surgical access is improved, but the skin along the wound edge is stretched making reapposition post surgery difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the water-absorbing capacity of the stress-distributing layer to change the mechanical properties of the interface between the drape and skin. As the material absorbs water during prolonged retraction, it maintains its cushioning effect and distributes forces, preventing excessive stretching of the skin and preserving its elastic properties for better post-surgical reapposition.
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 use of a stress-distributing layer reduces tissue trauma, facilitating faster healing, better cosmesis, and potentially lowering postoperative pain and infection rates by evenly distributing retraction forces.
Implementation Method 1
providing a water-absorbing stress-distributing layer comprising a hydrogel, a hydrocolloid, or a combination thereof
Implementation Method 2
the stress-distributing layer comprises a hydrogel, a hydrocolloid, or a combination thereof; wherein the stress-distributing layer has opposite first and second major surfaces and at least a portion of the stress-distributing layer is greater than 2 mm thick between the first and second major surfaces
Implementation Method 3
the stress-distributing layer undergoes stretching and/or compression during retraction
Implementation Method 4
distributing the forces caused by refraction over a broad area
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and products for protecting tissue of a patient during a surgical procedure that involve making an incision in the tissue and retracting the tissue to make a larger opening, wherein the methods and products use a water-absorbing stress-distributing layer.