Wound Dressing Electronics Encapsulation for Fluid Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems face challenges in fully realizing wound healing benefits due to limitations in incorporating a negative pressure source and electronic components into wound dressings, which can lead to issues with fluid ingress and component protection.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a negative pressure source and electronic components into a wound dressing apparatus, where the components are encased within a flexible film housing to form a hermetic seal, preventing wound exudate from entering and ensuring the dressing remains functional.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If electronic components are integrated into the wound dressing, then the functionality and control of negative pressure therapy is improved, but the risk of fluid ingress and component failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of negative pressure controlVSAvoidprotection from fluid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electronics assembly is nested within a protective enclosure formed by multiple flexible film layers (first flexible film layer, second flexible film layer, third flexible film layer) that are bonded together to create a hermetic seal, protecting the electronic components from wound exudate while maintaining integration with the wound dressing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective enclosure is constructed using flexible film layers that can conform to the wound site while providing hermetic sealing. The flexible films are bonded together to create a protective shell that shields electronic components from fluid ingress while allowing the dressing to maintain negative pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a hermetic seal is formed around the inlet to prevent fluid ingress, then the protection of electronic components is improved, but the complexity of the sealing structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from fluid ingressVSAvoidcomplexity of sealing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hermetic seal is formed using flexible film layers that are bonded together to create a protective enclosure. The flexible films conform to the inlet structure and are sealed around it, providing fluid ingress prevention while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates with the wound dressing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible film layers act as an intermediary barrier between the electronic components and the wound exudate. The films are bonded to form a hermetic seal that prevents fluid ingress while allowing the electronic components to function normally within the protected enclosure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the negative pressure source is integrated into the wound dressing, then the portability and continuous application is improved, but the size and complexity of the dressing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous negative pressure applicationVSAvoidintegration of negative pressure source

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The negative pressure source (electronic component) is merged with the wound dressing by enclosing it within the flexible film layers that form part of the dressing structure. The electronics assembly is integrated into the dressing such that the entire system can be applied as a single unit to the wound site, enabling continuous negative pressure application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The negative pressure source is nested within the wound dressing structure, specifically enclosed by the flexible film layers. This nesting allows the electronic components to be housed within the dressing itself, maintaining portability and enabling continuous application while organizing the complexity within a compact integrated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This solution enhances wound healing by maintaining a consistent negative pressure environment while protecting electronic components from fluid ingress, promoting granulation tissue formation and reducing bacterial load, thus facilitating faster wound closure.

Implementation Method 1

the first flexible film layer comprises an aperture configured to receive the inlet and form a hermetic seal around the inlet to prevent wound exudate from entering into the electronics unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHermetic seal:

Data Source

PatentUS20240325209A1Reduced pressure apparatuses and methods

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 T J SMITH & NEPHEW

AI summary

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments. a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound dressing. The wound dressing can comprise an absorbent material. an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source. the electronics unit integrated within the wound dressing and at least partially encapsulated by one or more layers of a flexible film. At least one of the layers of the flexible film can comprise a window or aperture configured to permit fluid communication between the absorbent material and the negative pressure source.