Wound Therapy Pump Circulation for Liquid Column Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound treatment devices using negative pressure face challenges in maintaining consistent pressure due to factors like liquid columns and height differences, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption when ambient air is introduced to compensate.
Innovation Solution
A device with a circulating pump that transports gas from the canister to the wound area via a third conduit, back to the canister, to remove liquid columns and maintain consistent negative pressure, along with a check valve to prevent gas from reaching the wound, and a pressure sensor to monitor and control the pressure, reducing energy consumption and odor release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ambient air is introduced to compensate for pressure loss, then pressure consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing negative pressure to draw liquid columns back into the canister automatically, without requiring external energy input or ambient air introduction. The negative pressure itself serves the dual function of both wound treatment and liquid column management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively manages liquid columns by using the circulating pump to prevent their formation and by automatically drawing them back into the canister before they can significantly impact pressure consistency, rather than reactively introducing ambient air when pressure deviations occur.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a circulating pump is added to transport gas and remove liquid columns, then pressure consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating pump serves multiple functions: it transports gas to prevent liquid column formation, draws liquid columns back into the canister, and maintains negative pressure in the wound area. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by consolidating several tasks into one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulating pump acts as an intermediary mechanism that indirectly manages pressure consistency by controlling gas and liquid flow, rather than directly adjusting pressure through ambient air introduction. This mediator approach provides more precise and controlled pressure management.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gas is transported through the system, then liquid columns are removed, but gas discharge and odor release increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of gas transport (odor release) into a beneficial function by using the gas flow to actively draw liquid columns back into the canister. The same gas circulation that could cause odor release is harnessed to prevent pressure inconsistency, and the filtered exhaust turns a potential harm into a controlled discharge.
4Stability of the object's composition
If pressure measurement and control is implemented, then pressure consistency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides continuous feedback about the pressure in the canister and wound area, allowing the system to monitor and adjust gas flow through the circulating pump to maintain consistent negative pressure. This feedback loop enables automatic pressure regulation without complex manual control systems.
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
This solution reduces energy consumption, minimizes gas discharge, and maintains consistent negative pressure, enhancing wound healing by efficiently managing liquid columns and preventing bacterial transfer between patients.
Implementation Method 1
a circulating pump is arranged to transport gas from the canister to the wound area via a third conduit and back to the canister via the first conduit in order to press out a possible liquid column from the first conduit to the canister
Implementation Method 2
using a first pump to create a negative pressure within a canister, which is connected with the wound via a first conduit
Implementation Method 3
Drainage of, for example, surgical wounds or other weeping wounds with negative pressure
Implementation Method 4
measuring the pressure in the canister
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An apparatus for treating wound with negative pressure. The apparatus including a wound cover (1), a first pump (9) for providing said negative pressure to the wound (5), a canister (6), a first conduit (8) between the wound cover (1) and the canister, means for measuring the pressure within the canister (6), and a second conduit (10) which connects the canister with the first pump. A circulating pump (12) is arranged to transport gas from the canister (6) to the wound region via a third conduit (13) and back to the canister (6) via the first conduit (8) in order to press out a possible liquid column from the first conduit (8) to the canister (6). The invention further relates to a method for controlling the negative pressure in a wound with use of said apparatus.