A 210,000-Yuan Medical Innovation Solves a 70-Year-Old Head and Neck Surgical Dressing Challenge

May 24, 2026 08:00 CST Updated 08:00

Recently, Tongji Hospital affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology hasRMB 210,000Transferred a utility model patent to Hubei Shifeng Medical Technology Co., Ltd.“A Multi-Functional, Zonally Compressible Elastic Bandage for the Head and Neck”。

He Chao:M.D., Associate Chief Physician; Member of the Otorhinolaryngology Professional Committee of the China Medical Education Association; Member of the Head and Neck Oncology Expert Committee of the Hubei Clinical Oncology Society; Standing Committee Member of the Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Oncology Professional Committee of the Wuhan Anti-Cancer Research Association; Council Member of the Wuhan Pathophysiology Society. Primarily engaged in clinical and research work in laryngopharyngeal and head and neck surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, otology, and the diagnosis and treatment of snoring disorders. Focused on the research and development of technologies related to head and neck tumors, minimally invasive otorhinolaryngological procedures, and postoperative rehabilitation. Conducts innovative research on medical consumables guided by clinical needs, and is the first inventor of this patent.

Why Do We Need Multifunctional, Zoned Elastic Bandages?

In clinical practice, the surgical wounds from otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgeries are mostly located in the complex anatomical regions of the head, face, and neck. These areas are rich in blood vessels, have loose tissue, and feature uneven wound surfaces, while being adjacent to important structures such as the auricle, eyes, and temporomandibular joint. Postoperatively, complications such as oozing, hematoma, tissue displacement, salivary fistula, and infection are prone to occur. Currently, the mainstream clinicalWrapped with sterile gauze + traditional gauze bandage/ordinary elastic bandage, achieving wound coverage and compression of the head and neck through multi-layered wrapping; hemostasis, fixation, obliteration of dead space, and promotion of healing are generally accomplished by means of pressure dressings.

However, this method has several drawbacks. First, excessive pressure applied to achieve hemostasis reduces patient comfort and makes it difficult to precisely quantify the tightness of the dressing, leading to either ineffective compression due to looseness or tissue damage from excessive tightness. Second, since the upper margin of the incision on the ear is level with the superior border of the auricle, the wound surface becomes uneven, making it difficult for conventional bandages to adhere closely. This also tends to obstruct the eyes and impair the patient’s field of vision, rendering the dressing procedure highly inconvenient. Finally, ordinary gauze or bandages lack sufficient fixation stability; during daily activities such as repeated chewing, mouth opening, and head turning, the gauze tends to slide within the bandage, causing displacement of the compression site and overall loosening of the dressing.

In summary, there is an urgent need in clinical surgery for a medical product that can address the aforementioned limitations.

So, what conveniences and innovations can this patent bring to us?

This technology significantly enhances the quality and professionalism of postoperative care for head and neck surgeries primarily through structural innovation and detail optimization.

First, the patent's unique radial multi-branch fixation structure combined with a self-adhesive hook-and-loop design, effectively buffering the muscular traction forces generated during daily activities such as chewing, speaking, and head rotation, thereby fundamentally resolving the stability issues of traditional bandages, which are prone to displacement and loosening.

Secondly, the device also incorporates the concept of quantitative control., its primary feature is the inclusion of precise scale markings at 0.5 cm intervals on the loop side of the hook-and-loop fastener, enabling physicians to accurately control the bandage’s stretch length and compression force based on these measurements. This transforms previously experience-based, imprecise practices into standardized, documented, and traceable therapeutic procedures.

Finally, the zoned compression design not only reduces the range of ineffective pressure, while also endowing the device with exceptional clinical versatility, enabling it to flexibly accommodate various complex postoperative dressing scenarios involving the parotid gland, periauricular region, and buccofacial area.

Current Market Status of Head and Neck Compression Bandages and the Market Prospects of This Patent

Currently, the domestic market for head and neck compression bandages is dominated by traditional gauze bandages and self-adhesive elastic bandages from large medical consumable manufacturers such as Winner Medical and Cofoe. These products offer strong versatility and controllable costs, covering primary healthcare institutions and routine dressing scenarios, but overall, they are characterized byUniversal Designprimarily, lacking specialized and refined protocols tailored to otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Therefore, the overall market presentsAbundant in Quantity, Deficient in Expertise...characteristics, there is significant room for improvement in specialized clinical aspects such as zoned compression and anti-migration. Meanwhile, the clinical demand for safer, more comfortable, and standardized postoperative-specific compression bandages is growing.

This patent primarily focuses onSpecialized Scenarios in Otolaryngology, withZoned Compression, Adjustable Compression Bags, and Graduated QuantificationAs a core innovation, it not only aligns with genuine clinical needs but also fills the market gap for specialized medical consumables. It is expected to secure stable application in tertiary hospitals’ departments of head and neck surgery, otolaryngology, and stomatology. Furthermore, upon commercialization, it is highly likely to establish differentiated competitive advantages, thereby offering promising prospects for both clinical adoption and market promotion.