Negative Pressure Wound Closure Device with Collapsing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound closure techniques face challenges in effectively managing wounds with non-aligned margins, particularly in amputations and ulcers, due to issues like wound dehiscence, infection, and uneven drainage, which require improved methods for tissue approximation and fluid management.
Innovation Solution
The development of negative pressure wound closure devices featuring a collapsing structure with compressive elements and scale systems that apply directed force to align and approximate wound margins, utilizing a combination of negative pressure and compressive forces to facilitate closure, even in wounds with significant depth and width disparities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual suturing is used to close large wound gaps, then wound closure is achieved, but recovery time is extended and risk of complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device employs a dynamic collapsing structure that transitions from an expanded state to a collapsed state, actively drawing wound margins together through mechanical motion rather than static suturing. This dynamic action accelerates closure while maintaining tissue alignment, reducing both time and complication risks
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device serves as an intermediary mechanical system between the wound margins, providing controlled force application to approximate tissues. This mediator approach replaces direct manual suturing with a controlled mechanical intervention that reduces surgeon dependency and improves consistency
2Ease of operation
If compression force is applied to move wound margins together, then approximation is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device controls the compression parameter by regulating the collapsing force applied to the structure. The negative pressure system allows precise adjustment of compression levels, applying sufficient force for approximation while staying below thresholds that would cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the collapsing structure's movement provides information about tissue approximation progress. This feedback allows real-time adjustment of compression force to maintain optimal levels for closure without exceeding tissue tolerance
3Productivity
If negative pressure is applied to facilitate wound closure, then drainage is improved, but wound dehiscence risk increases due to margin separation
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges two functions into a single integrated system: the collapsing structure simultaneously provides mechanical compression to align margins and creates negative pressure to enhance drainage. This combination ensures that drainage improvement does not compromise margin stability, as both functions work协同
4Productivity
If a collapsing structure is used to approximate wound margins, then closure efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsing structure is segmented into multiple cells or compartments that can independently collapse. This segmentation allows the complex function to be divided into simpler repeating units, making the overall device more manageable while maintaining high closure efficiency through coordinated collapse of multiple segments
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
These devices efficiently approximate wound margins, reduce the risk of infection, and enhance wound healing by ensuring deeper portions close before shallower areas, thereby preventing seroma formation and promoting effective drainage and tissue alignment without the need for sutures in many cases.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure wound closure devices... negative pressure source and a collapsing structure that is placed on the wound to provide directed preferential closure
Implementation Method 2
a compressive force is imparted to tissue surrounding the wound or to tissue on the sides of a wound opening with a compression wound closure device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods of the present application can accelerate and reduce medical complications associated with healing of non-planar wounds such as amputation wounds. The devices and methods utilize a collapsing structure and negative pressure to cause the shaped wound to preferentially close. The structure can accommodate movement over curved tissue surfaces, which can utilize scales or interleaved elements to provide efficient wound closure along arcuate paths. This structure can enable gradual closure from the deepest portion of the wound to the shallowest portion.