Subatmospheric Wound Dressing Adhesive Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large and infected wounds face challenges in closure due to the formation of a zone of stasis, which restricts blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery, hindering natural healing and infection control.

Innovation Solution

A wound dressing apparatus with a subatmospheric pressure reservoir, an adhesive agent, and an inner absorbent member, which applies subatmospheric pressure to draw fluid from the wound while maintaining the integrity of the inner member, and includes medicaments to promote healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adhesive agent is applied to the peripheral section of the outer member, then attachment to periwound tissue is facilitated, but the inner member may be degraded by contact with the adhesive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment to periwound tissueVSAvoidintegrity of inner member
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer member is divided into distinct functional zones: a peripheral section for adhesive attachment and an internal section for housing the inner member. This segmentation allows the adhesive to be applied only where needed for attachment without contacting the inner member, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and preservation of inner member integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive agent is applied locally to the peripheral section of the outer member rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized application ensures that the adhesive's bonding function is achieved at the periphery while the inner member remains in a non-adhesive zone, preventing degradation and maintaining its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If subatmospheric pressure is applied to remove fluid from the wound bed, then exudate removal is improved, but the inner member may lose its structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexudate removal efficiencyVSAvoidintegrity of inner member
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner member is pre-configured within the outer member's internal reservoir in a position and orientation that protects it from the full force of subatmospheric pressure. The outer member acts as a protective cushion or barrier that distributes the pressure load, allowing effective fluid removal while preventing damage to the inner member's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If the adhesive agent contacts the inner member, then attachment strength is improved, but the inner member's functionality is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidfunctionality of inner member
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive application area is extracted or separated from the inner member housing area. The peripheral section of the outer member is specifically designated for adhesive application, while the inner member is housed in a separate internal reservoir. This spatial extraction ensures that the adhesive's bonding function is achieved without compromising the inner member's functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances wound healing by effectively removing exudates and promoting tissue growth through continuous or intermittent subatmospheric pressure application, improving tissue oxygenation and infection control.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive agent in contact with a peripheral section of the outer member to facilitate attachment of the peripheral section to the periwound tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a port associated with the outer member and in communication with the internal reservoir for applying subatmospheric pressure to the internal reservoir to facilitate treatment of the wound bed and removal of fluid therefrom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2167157B1Subatmospheric pressure wound therapy dressing
Publication Date: 2012.10.31 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP2167157B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2167157B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2167157B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wound dressing apparatus for use in subatmospheric pressure therapy includes an outer member dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed and defining an internal reservoir, a port associated with the outer member and in communication with the internal reservoir for applying subatmospheric pressure to the internal reservoir to facilitate treatment of the wound bed and removal of fluid therefrom, an inner member at least partially positionable within the wound bed and confined within the outer member, and an adhesive agent in contact with a peripheral section of the outer member to facilitate attachment of the peripheral section to the periwound tissue. The adhesive agent is preferably substantially devoid of contact with the inner member. In one embodiment, a layer of adhesive material is disposed on the peripheral section of the outer member.