Modular Wound Sensor Dock and Drive for Infection Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for surgical site infections (SSIs) are inadequate, lacking in ease of use, compatibility with various wound dressings, and effectiveness in early detection, leading to significant healthcare burdens and costs.
Innovation Solution
A device and system that continuously monitors the temperature of the periwound area using a dock and drive configuration with adhesive layers, temperature sensors, and a microcontroller, capable of distinguishing between wound and adjacent skin temperatures, and communicates with a remote device for infection detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a diagnostic device for surgical site infections is designed to be separable into components, then ease of dressing change and replacement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device is divided into separate components: a reusable dock and disposable drives. The dock contains the adhesive layer and housing, while the drive contains the temperature sensors and electronics. This segmentation allows the drive to be easily replaced during dressing changes without removing the entire device, improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing components (drive) are extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the adhesive dock. This extraction enables independent replacement of the drive component during dressing changes, eliminating the need to remove or replace the entire diagnostic device, thus improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed to be compatible with a variety of wound dressings, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dock is designed with a universal adhesive layer and housing structure that can accommodate multiple types of wound dressings and application methods (with or without dressings). The separable drive-dock interface provides a standardized connection that works across different dressing types, achieving versatility without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to distinguish wound temperature from adjacent skin temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple temperature sensors are positioned at specific locations within the drive: some sensors contact or proximity to the wound area while others contact or proximity to adjacent healthy skin. This spatial distribution of sensing elements with different local measurement functions enables differentiation between wound temperature and skin temperature, improving measurement precision through targeted sensor placement.
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
Enables early and accurate detection of surgical site infections, reducing healthcare costs and burdens by providing a modular, user-friendly solution for monitoring and diagnosing SSIs.
Implementation Method 1
The dock includes an adhesive layer having an adhesive coating on a wound side thereof
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first temperature sensors extend from the first printed circuit board portion and through the first dock portion. The at least one second temperature sensor extends from the second printed circuit board portion and through the second dock portion
Data Source
AI summary
An infection detection device is configured to continuously monitor a temperature of a periwound of a user and includes a dock and a drive. The dock includes an adhesive layer having an adhesive coating on a wound side thereof, a first dock portion and a second dock portion. The drive is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the dock and includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of first temperature sensors and at least one second temperature sensor. The printed circuit board is positioned along a base of the drive, and has a first printed circuit board portion and a second printed circuit board portion. The plurality of first temperature sensors extend from the first printed circuit board portion and through the first dock portion. The at least one second temperature sensor extends from the second printed circuit board portion and through the second dock portion.