Modular Wound Therapy Pump With Pressure Sensing and Blockage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative-pressure therapy systems lack modularity and advanced features for effective wound treatment, such as real-time pressure monitoring, blockage detection, and efficient fluid management, which can hinder optimal tissue healing outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A modular therapy device with integrated components including a pump housing, power module, pressure sensors, and a blockage detection module, enabling precise pressure control, real-time monitoring, and efficient fluid management through a multi-lumen conduit system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If negative-pressure therapy is applied to accelerate wound healing, then tissue growth is improved, but the risk of blockage and fluid management issues increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound healing rateVSAvoidtherapy system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through pressure sensors that continuously monitor the therapy system and provide real-time data to the controller. When blockage is detected through pressure differential analysis, the system automatically adjusts or alerts, preventing therapy failure and maintaining reliable operation while continuing to promote wound healing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components including fluid reservoirs, filters, and pressure regulation mechanisms that mediate between the negative pressure source and the wound site. These intermediaries prevent direct transmission of blockages while maintaining therapeutic pressure, thereby preserving both healing effectiveness and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular device design is implemented to improve adaptability, then device versatility increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the therapy system into modular segments including interchangeable dressings, separable fluid management components, and configurable pressure control units. Each module can be independently selected and attached based on specific wound requirements, enhancing adaptability while keeping individual module complexity manageable through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs universal components that can serve multiple functions within the modular system. For example, the controller unit can manage different dressing types, the fluid reservoir can handle both exudate collection and irrigation, and the pressure sensors can monitor both therapeutic pressure and blockage conditions, thereby reducing overall system complexity through component multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If real-time pressure monitoring and blockage detection are added, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure monitoring precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pressure monitoring and blockage detection functions into integrated sensor assemblies that are embedded within the dressing or fluid pathway. By merging these measurement functions into single physical components with unified signal processing in the controller, the system achieves high measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise negative pressure application, real-time monitoring, and blockage detection, thereby improving tissue growth and reducing healing times.

Implementation Method 1

a pump configured to deliver negative pressure to a dressing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a first pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure at the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a second pressure sensor configured to sense an ambient pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250339603A1Modular negative pressure wound therapy devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and methods in a negative pressure wound therapy environment. A therapy device can include a pump housing and a power module configured to couple to the pump housing. The pump housing comprises a pump configured to deliver negative pressure to a dressing, a first pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure at the pump, a controller operably coupled to the pump and the first pressure sensor within an interior of the pump housing, and a first communications connector configured to provide communication with the controller from an exterior of the pump housing. The power module comprises a battery configured to provide power, a second pressure sensor configured to sense an ambient pressure, and a second communications connector configured to be coupled to the first communications connector to operably connect the battery and the second pressure sensor to the controller.