Disposable Wound Irrigation Device with Compressed Gas and Protective Rim
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound irrigation devices are not adequately effective in providing a controlled and efficient method for cleansing wounds, as they often require manual operation, lack precise pressure modulation, and do not effectively prevent splashback or backflow of irrigation solution.
Innovation Solution
A disposable wound irrigation device featuring a cap structure that engages a bottle of irrigation solution, with a protective rim and conduits for compressed gas to form a compressed irrigation solution, and channels for delivering it to the wound, including a vent conduit for gas release and optional backflow prevention valves and flow regulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used to irrigate wounds, then device simplicity is maintained, but irrigation effectiveness and pressure control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs compressed gas (pneumatic system) to deliver irrigation solution to the wound. A compressed gas source connects to a delivery device that propels the irrigation solution through pressure, ensuring effective wound cleansing without requiring manual squeezing or complex pumping mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable, pressure-controlled irrigation through pneumatic means while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
2Reliability
If compressed gas is used to deliver irrigation solution, then irrigation pressure and effectiveness are improved, but risk of splashback and backflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a splash shield that captures and redirects splashback and backflow. Instead of allowing compressed gas to create uncontrolled spray and contamination, the shield converts the harmful splashback into a contained flow that can be safely directed away from the wound and operator. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high irrigation pressure while eliminating the harmful splashback effect through protective design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional devices are used without splash shields, then device simplicity is maintained, but wound protection and operator safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a splash shield as an intermediary protective element between the irrigation delivery system and the wound/operator. This shield acts as a mediator that contains and redirects fluid flow, protecting both the wound from contamination and the operator from exposure. The shield integrates seamlessly with the delivery device, adding protective functionality without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If disposable devices are used, then infection risk is reduced, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a segmented design where the delivery device and splash shield can be disposable while the compressed gas source and irrigation solution bottle are reusable. This segmentation allows the critical components that contact the wound to be single-use for infection prevention, while non-critical components are reused, reducing overall material waste and environmental impact.
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 provides controlled and efficient wound irrigation by using compressed gas to force the solution through channels, minimizing splashback and ensuring effective cleansing while preventing backflow, thus improving wound hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
one or more conduits for selectively communicating a compressed gas through the cap structure and into an interior of the bottle containing the irrigation solution to form a compressed irrigation solution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A wound irrigation device, comprising: a cap structure configured to engage a bottle containing an irrigation solution at a first end; a protective rim disposed about a periphery of the cap structure at a second end, wherein the protective rim is selectively disposed about or in proximity to a wound to be irrigated when in use; one or more conduits for selectively communicating a compressed gas through the cap structure and into an interior of the bottle to form a compressed irrigation solution; and a longitudinal wall structure disposed within the cap structure and defining one or more channels for selectively communicating the compressed irrigation solution through the cap structure and to the wound. The wound irrigation device further comprising a vent conduit in fluid communication with the one or more conduits for selectively venting the compressed gas through the cap structure and into the environment.