Wound Exposure Device Retraction for Redundant Tissue Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack a practical solution to manage excessive and redundant tissue, such as panniculus, away from surgical incisions for extended periods, which impedes wound healing by covering the surgical site and complicating the healing process.
Innovation Solution
A wearable, highly conformable wound exposure device comprising a top and bottom layer with adhesive properties and a stretchable middle portion, designed to retract and secure excessive tissue away from the wound site, facilitating extended use and promoting healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a retractor system is used to retain excessive tissue away from the surgical site, then the tissue is held away from the wound, but the device is designed for use during surgery and cannot be worn for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a stretchable middle portion made from elastomeric material that can dynamically adapt to patient movement and body contours throughout the day, allowing the device to remain comfortable and effective during extended wear periods both in and out of the operating room
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses an adhesive with controlled strength parameters that balances secure attachment to the patient's skin with comfortable wear during extended periods, enabling the device to function effectively from immediate postoperative use through discharge
2Strength
If adhesive is applied to the top layer to adhere to the backing layer, then the layers are securely bonded, but strong adhesive may cause skin trauma during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is formulated with optimized strength parameters that provide secure bonding between the top layer and backing layer while maintaining low enough adhesion to the patient's skin to prevent trauma during removal, achieving the desired balance through controlled adhesive properties
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 device effectively maintains excessive tissue away from the wound, enhancing wound healing by allowing better access for dressing and reducing the risk of infection, while being comfortable and easy to apply, with an adhesive strength that prevents skin trauma during removal.
Implementation Method 1
The top layer has an adhesive applied to a surface of the top layer facing the backing layer to removably adhere the top layer and backing layer together
Implementation Method 2
At least the middle portion is made from a stretchable material which has at least a 50% elongation
Data Source
AI summary
A wound exposure device is disclosed that can be applied to a patient having excessive or redundant tissue (i.e., a panniculus) to retain the excessive or redundant tissue away from (off of) a wound to allow air so that the excessive or redundant tissue will not cover the wound while the wound is healing. The wound exposure device is wearable and highly conformable when applied to a patient to support/hold/retract redundant and/or excessive tissue off or away from a wound site for extended periods of time. The ability to wear the wound exposure device for extended periods of time facilitates better healing of wounds which would otherwise be covered by the redundant flesh.