Wound Dressing with Open Window for Absorbent Swelling Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wound dressings face challenges with absorbent material swelling, which distorts the dressing shape, undermines bacterial barrier adhesion, and can lead to moisture accumulation in the periwound area, causing further tissue deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A wound dressing design featuring a porous contact layer with an internal open window, an absorbent member, and a drape layer with a patterned adhesive coating, allowing at least 50% of the absorbent member's surface area to be exposed, promoting vertical swelling and maintaining adhesion while preventing lateral distortion and periwound moisture accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an absorbent material is used to receive wound exudates, then the wound environment is maintained moist, but the absorbent material swells and distorts the dressing shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexudate absorption capacityVSAvoiddressing shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into distinct functional layers: a contact layer with an open window that allows controlled exudate passage, an absorbent member positioned to receive exudates, and a backing layer with adhesive coating. This segmentation allows the absorbent material to perform its absorption function without compromising the overall dressing shape, as each layer has a specific role in maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact layer with its open window acts as an intermediary between the wound and the absorbent member. It controls the flow of exudates to the absorbent material while maintaining the dressing's structural integrity and shape stability, preventing direct contact between the absorbent material and the wound that would cause distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the absorbent material swells to absorb exudates, then wound healing is promoted through moist environment, but the dressing adhesion to skin is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexudate absorption capacityVSAvoiddressing adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into distinct functional layers: a contact layer with an open window that allows controlled exudate passage, an absorbent member positioned to receive exudates, and a backing layer with adhesive coating. This segmentation allows the absorbent material to perform its absorption function without compromising the overall dressing shape, as each layer has a specific role in maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive coating is applied specifically to the backing layer rather than the entire dressing. This localized adhesive application ensures that the dressing maintains strong attachment to the skin through the backing layer while the absorbent member can swell freely in the contact layer without compromising overall adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the absorbent material is secured to the backing layer, then the dressing structure is stable, but moisture drawn away from the wound accumulates in the periwound area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedressing structure stabilityVSAvoidperiwound moisture accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing is divided into distinct functional layers: a contact layer with an open window that allows controlled exudate passage, an absorbent member positioned to receive exudates, and a backing layer with adhesive coating. This segmentation allows the absorbent material to perform its absorption function without compromising the overall dressing shape, as each layer has a specific role in maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful accumulation of moisture in the periwound area is prevented by extracting excess fluid through the open window in the contact layer, which allows controlled drainage while maintaining the structural stability provided by the secured absorbent member and backing layer.

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

The design ensures the dressing remains attached to the skin, maintains a moist wound environment, and prevents periwound moisture accumulation, enhancing wound healing by allowing controlled absorption and evaporation of exudates.

Implementation Method 1

A porous contact layer for positioning adjacent a wound. The porous contact layer defines a distal wound-facing surface, an opposed proximal surface, and an internal open window extending therethrough.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The contact layer may include a layer of a cross linked, acrylic-based construction adhesive on a proximal side thereof that adherers the absorbent member to the contact layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

An absorbent member is disposed in superimposed relation to the window of the contact layer, and is dimensioned to extend laterally beyond the window such that a portion of the absorbent member overlaps and is secured to the proximal surface of the contact layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The absorbent member may be constructed of an open-celled polyurethane foam.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 5

A distal side of the drape layer is adhesively coated to fasten the drape layer to the absorbent member. A distal side of the cover layer is adhesively coated to secure the cover layer to the contact layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 6

The contact layer may include a layer of a cross linked, acrylic-based construction adhesive on a proximal side thereof that adherers the absorbent member to the contact layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 7

The porous contact layer may include a plurality of perforations extending therethrough that exhibit a diameter in the range of about 200 to about 1000 microns, and are spaced such that the contact layer exhibits a perforation density in the range of about 50 to about 300 perforations per square inch.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9517164B2Wound dressing with advanced fluid handling

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 KPR U S LLC

AI summary

A wound dressing for managing wound fluids includes a porous contact layer for positioning adjacent a wound. An internal open window extends through the contact layer exposing a distal side of an absorbent member. The absorbent member is disposed in a superimposed relation to the window of the contact layer and is dimensioned to extend laterally beyond the window such that a portion of the absorbent member overlaps and is secured to the contact layer. A drape layer is disposed on a proximal side of the absorbent member, and is adhesively coated to fasten the drape layer to the absorbent member. A cover layer disposed over the drape layer defines an internal open window such that the open window is adjacent the absorbent member. A distal side of the cover layer is adhesively coated to secure the cover layer to the contact layer.