NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY DEVICE (NPWT)
Infection is the most prevalent cause of poor outcomes post orthopaedic surgery, including disfigurement, loss of limb, disability and death.
Darwin Project Director, Jonathan Haar, having experienced a wound infection himself after spine surgery, saw clearly how a negative pressure wound device could help prevent or eliminate a post surgical infection. However, he also understood that more than 5 billion people world-wide have no access to life-saving affordable surgical and anesthesia care, primarily because of high cost.
Jonathan devoted considerable time to developing a Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device which would be effective, safe and inexpensive for preventing infection post surgery or in other open wounds. In the US, a NPWT Device can cost $6,000 to $12,000. DPI’s NPWT Device is being manufactured for less than $250 each, making it economically accessible as a life saving device.
How the NPWT Device Works
- An open wound or surgical incision is wrapped in sterile porous foam and then in a sealed surgical dressing. The drainage tube from the NPWT Device is then inserted under the dressing.
- Precisely controlled – 5 in/hg suction from the Device draws excess fluid and syphons it into the connected bottle. Drawing out fluids allows for reduced air pressure and more rapid healing.
- Reducing pressure and excising fluids can reduce swelling and prevent or remove bacterial infection by: debriding necrotic tissue; draining pus; improving circulation; alleviating obstruction; increasing tissue oxygenation; and, stimulating the growth of new healthy tissue to support wound closure. It can save a life.
NPWT Device Design & Manufacturing Process
- Jonathan Haar combined his engineering and industrial design skills with the medical guidance of Dr. Jack Wixted.
- Jonathan’s focus on affordable, effective medical equipment for resource limited areas lead him to build his own “Clean Room” to work on sensitive projects.
- DPI then contracted with Bruce Hoffman Engineer, True North Engineering, to manufacture the first 250 devices and patient wound care soft goods.
- After several progressive designs and testing leading to the final porotype, DPI contracted with NexTek Innovations, Nephi Zufelt, Industrial Engineer, to finalize the prototype design for production.
- Dr. Henry Ndasi tested each prototype and gave valuable field feedback on design and efficacy.
Design Concept
First Gauge Test
Early Design
Intermediate Design
Final Prototype
Testing Phase
Production Model
Two types of 3D Printed caps function with any bottle
NPWT sponges can be autoclaved for sterility.
Eliminates use of non-sterile furniture foam on wounds (Malawi)
Early Designs In Haiti
Surgeons’ Interest in Using NPWT Device
- As of July 2023, DPI has begun manufacturing Devices for donating to surgeons mostly in Africa. The first run will include 250 devices, 2,500 sheets of surgical dressing, 1,000 sponges, and 500 container caps.
- In addition to the devices we already have donated to Mutengene Baptist Hospital, Haiti and Ukraine; 110 devices have been requested from our first lot.
- 50 devices will go to Cameroon rural clinics, 30 to Uganda, 30+ to warzone in South Sudan.
- Note: This type of device has been in use by surgeons since the 1950s. However DPI’s device is not for use or sale in the U.S. While DPI’s device has not gone through FDA or total CE certification, each component in the Device is CE rated, and each box is barcoded for tracking and reporting purposes.
Surgeons Contact Us
As surgeons, you know that wound/surgical incision drainage is of critical importance for positive healing outcomes. A Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device (NPWT) can be applied to surgical incisions to: reduce pressure on the wound; remove necrotic tissue; increase oxygenation; prevent bacterial infection; promote wound granulation; and, minimize scarring.
The Darwin Project, Inc (DPI) has designed and manufactured a NPWT Device specifically to be affordable to hospitals in resource challenged countries.
The first 4 pumps and materials are free if you will agree to use our reporting system, much like SIGN’s, and replacement foam and surgical drape will be provided when we receive your reports.
Download our reporting system here if you are requesting the 4 free pumps.
Additional pump orders will be at our cost, which is $250, including the foam and surgical drape.
Thank you for your interest in the Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device:
Jonathan Haar
Director of Darwin Project