Wound Care Device with Removable Inelastic Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound care devices fail to effectively minimize wound dehiscence and scar spread while allowing for wound examination, cleaning, and treatment, as they often hinder clinician access and require replacement.

Innovation Solution

A wound care apparatus comprising a substantially inelastic and flexible layer coupled to flexible strips on either side of a wound, allowing for adjustable compression and removable coupling to facilitate examination and treatment without replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sterile strips or skin adhesive are used to minimize wound dehiscence, then wound protection is improved, but clinician access to examine, clean, and treat the wound deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound protectionVSAvoidclinician access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wound care device is segmented into a reusable base layer with adhesive strips and a removable protective layer. This segmentation allows the protective layer to be removed for wound care access while the base layer remains in place to maintain wound protection, resolving the contradiction between continuous protection and periodic access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a static, permanently adhering configuration to a dynamic system where the protective layer can be temporarily removed and reattached. This dynamic capability enables clinicians to access the wound when needed while maintaining overall wound protection throughout the healing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If sterile strips or skin adhesive are used to minimize wound dehiscence, then wound protection is improved, but device replacement frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound protectionVSAvoiddevice duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the device into permanent and temporary components, the adhesive base layer can remain on the wound for an extended period providing continuous protection, while only the removable protective layer needs to be periodically taken off for wound care. This extends the overall device duration without compromising wound protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable protective layer is temporarily discarded during wound care procedures and then recovered (reattached) afterward. This allows the main structural component with adhesive strips to remain in place for an extended duration, reducing overall device replacement frequency while maintaining wound protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the wound care apparatus is made thicker to provide better wound protection, then wound protection is improved, but patient comfort and discretion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound protectionVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes thin, flexible adhesive strips and a slim protective layer that conform to the skin surface. This thin-film approach provides effective wound protection through adhesion and coverage while maintaining a low profile that ensures patient comfort and allows the device to be discreetly worn under clothing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 apparatus provides effective minimization of wound dehiscence and scar spread while enabling continuous wound observation and treatment, with a discreet design that does not require frequent replacement of the device.

Implementation Method 1

removable coupling (e.g., via hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive, and/or the like) between the substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material and at least one of the flexible first and second strips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook-and-loop fastening: Velcro

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

pucker and/or apply compression to the wound to minimize wound dehiscence, scar spread, and/or the like

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10596041B2Apparatuses and methods for minimizing wound dehiscence, scar spread, and/or the like

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 ALLRED JAMES DR

AI summary

Apparatuses for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence and related methods. Some of the apparatuses include a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip, the first and second strips configured to be coupled to a patient's back on opposing sides of a wound and a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material configured to be directly coupled to the first and second strips with the layer in tension to resist separation of the first and second strips, where the layer is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is configured to be removably coupled to each of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is non-removably coupled to and/or is unitary with at least one of the first and second strips.