Multi-Source Wound Dressing Vacuum Layout for Uniform Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative pressure wound therapy systems do not fully realize the benefits of wound healing by failing to optimize negative pressure levels and fluid removal, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes for chronic wounds.

Innovation Solution

A negative pressure wound therapy system incorporating two piezoelectric transducers connected in series, with electronic circuitry to generate synchronized driving signals at resonant frequencies, achieving a combined maximum negative pressure greater than individual transducers' limits, and adaptive frequency adjustment for optimal wound treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single negative pressure source is used to treat large or irregularly shaped wounds, then the device complexity is low, but the uniformity of negative pressure distribution across the wound surface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of negative pressure sourcesVSAvoiduniformity of negative pressure distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single negative pressure source into multiple separate negative pressure sources (first negative pressure source, second negative pressure source, etc.), each positioned to treat different regions of the wound. This segmentation allows each source to effectively manage pressure in its local area, ensuring uniform pressure distribution across large or irregularly shaped wounds while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple negative pressure sources are used to improve pressure distribution, then the uniformity of negative pressure distribution improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of negative pressure distributionVSAvoidnumber of negative pressure sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wound treatment area is divided into multiple regions, each served by a dedicated negative pressure source. This segmentation enables precise control of pressure in each region while maintaining overall system manageability through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each negative pressure source is specifically positioned and configured to address the unique characteristics of its assigned wound region. This local optimization ensures that pressure distribution is tailored to the specific geometric and tissue properties of each area, improving overall uniformity without requiring excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple negative pressure sources are used to treat different regions independently, then the adaptability to irregular wound shapes improves, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to irregular wound shapesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the operation of multiple negative pressure sources based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors. Each source can be independently controlled to adapt to the specific geometry and requirements of different wound regions, providing versatility for irregular shapes while managing control complexity through automated feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure sensors continuously monitor the negative pressure in each wound region and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of each negative pressure source to maintain optimal pressure distribution, adapting to irregular wound shapes without requiring complex manual control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 providing optimized negative pressure levels and efficient fluid removal, reducing bacterial load and promoting granulation tissue formation, thus accelerating wound closure.

Implementation Method 1

applying a negative pressure to a wound bed through a contact layer positioned in direct contact with the wound bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP4041331B1Negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods with multiple negative pressure sources

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 T J SMITH & NEPHEW

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AI summary

A negative pressure wound therapy system can include multiple sources of negative pressure configured to aspirate fluid from a wound covered by a wound dressing. The multiple sources of negative pressure can be disposed on or within the wound dressing. The negative pressure wound therapy system can include electronic circuitry disposed on or within the wound dressing. The electronic circuitry can be configured to generate a driving signal with a first driving signal magnitude and a first driving signal frequency; and apply the driving signal to the first and second sources of negative pressure causing the first and second sources of negative pressure to provide negative pressure to aspirate fluid from the wound. Two or more of the multiple sources of negative pressure can be pneumatically connected in series to increase available provision of negative pressure to the wound.