Wound Dressing with Suction and Semi-Permeable Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound healing technologies inadequately address the removal of excess fluid from wounds, which hinders the healing process, and lack integrated solutions for promoting wound circulation and protection from pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A wound dressing with a suction member connected to a vacuum source and a semi-permeable cover that allows airflow, featuring hydrophobic or biodegradable base layers and absorptive layers with desiccant or adsorbent materials to absorb fluid, along with optional sensors and conduits for monitoring and stimulation, promoting healing and preventing infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wound dressing uses traditional absorptive materials only, then fluid absorption is provided, but excess fluid removal and active wound circulation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated dressing system: absorptive layers for fluid uptake, suction members with vacuum sources for active fluid removal, and semi-permeable covers for protection and circulation. This merging of absorption and suction capabilities resolves the contradiction by achieving high productivity through functional integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dressing system performs multiple functions simultaneously: the absorptive layers absorb exudate, the suction members actively remove excess fluid and debris, the semi-permeable cover protects from pathogens while allowing gas exchange, and sensors monitor wound conditions. This multi-functionality approach enables the system to address fluid removal efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through a unified design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a wound dressing uses a non-permeable cover, then protection from pathogens is maximized, but wound breathing and circulation are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a semi-permeable cover that contains porous structures allowing selective passage of substances. The porous material permits oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange for wound breathing while blocking larger pathogens and contaminants. This resolves the contradiction by providing both protection and circulation through the inherent properties of porous semi-permeable materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is constructed as a composite material system with layers having different permeability characteristics. The composite structure combines protective outer layers with breathable inner layers, achieving simultaneous pathogen protection and gas exchange functionality that supports both safety and healing productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If a wound dressing uses only absorptive layers, then fluid absorption is provided, but fluid distribution and contact pressure management are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The dressing is segmented into multiple functional layers: absorptive layers for fluid uptake, stabilizing layers for structural support and pressure distribution, and suction members for active removal. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function, with stabilizing layers specifically designed to distribute contact pressure evenly while absorptive layers focus on fluid capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers are assigned different local qualities: absorptive layers have high porosity and capacity for fluid uptake, while stabilizing layers have appropriate mechanical properties for pressure distribution. The local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region of the dressing to optimize its specific function rather than requiring a single material to perform all roles.
4Productivity
If a wound dressing allows fluid to pass through to the suction member, then active fluid removal is enabled, but risk of fluid reaching vacuum source increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid lock as an intermediary component between the suction member and the vacuum source. The fluid lock acts as a mediator that allows fluid to pass through the suction member for active removal while preventing fluid from reaching and contaminating the vacuum source, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dressing components including absorptive layers and suction members are designed as disposable elements that are replaced when saturated or contaminated. This approach protects the expensive, reusable vacuum source from fluid damage while maintaining high fluid removal productivity through continuous use of fresh disposable components.
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
Effectively removes excess fluid, facilitates sterile airflow, and integrates sensors and medicine delivery to enhance wound healing, improving the healing process while protecting the wound from pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound
Implementation Method 2
patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material
Implementation Method 3
The semi-permeable cover allows the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids
Implementation Method 4
When connected to a source of vacuum pressure, the suction member removes excess fluid from the wound
Implementation Method 5
The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer
Data Source
AI summary
A wound dressing having a suction member adaptable for connection to a source of vacuum pressure. The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer and one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound. The absorptive layers are preferably quilted with patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wound dressing may allow fluid to pass through the suction member. A semi-permeable cover is provided for allowing the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids. The cover may have a bladder for distributing contact pressure away from the wound. Various sensors may be provided in the wound dressing for sensing various physiological parameters in the wound, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, and serous fluid turbidity. Medicine may also be applied to the wound through the wound dressing.