Adhesive Incision Guide With Closing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical incision closure methods, such as sutures and tacks, lead to increased infection risk, poor aesthetics, and require additional procedures for removal, while existing alternatives like adhesives are time-consuming and not suitable for large wounds, lacking repositionability and clear visibility during healing.
Innovation Solution
An incision guide and wound closure device featuring a surgical mesh with affixed guides and a closing element, allowing for precise alignment and repositioning, using a weak adhesive for initial placement and a stronger adhesive for secure bonding, enabling easy alignment and visibility during healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures or surgical tacks are used for closing incisions, then the incision can be closed effectively, but the risk of wound infection increases and aesthetic outcomes deteriorate due to scar formation and stitch channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional closure elements (sutures, tacks) from the wound closure process and replaces them with adhesive-bonded approximation devices that close the incision without penetrating the skin, thereby eliminating stitch channels and reducing infection risk while improving aesthetic outcomes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adhesive as an intermediary substance to bond the approximation devices to the skin surface, enabling secure attachment without mechanical penetration, and uses this intermediary to transfer closure forces without creating infection pathways
2Object-affected harmful factors
If intradermal suture technique is used to avoid aesthetic problems, then cosmetic outcomes improve, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires removal of non-absorbable sutures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable approximation devices that are applied once and remain in place to facilitate healing, eliminating the need for removal procedures. These single-use devices achieve aesthetic closure without the long-term presence of non-absorbable sutures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary approximation and bonding of wound edges before the healing process begins, using adhesive-sealed devices that maintain alignment throughout healing, thereby achieving aesthetic results without subsequent removal procedures
3Ease of operation
If adhesive alone is used for wound closure, then application is simplified, but the adhesive is not suitable for large wounds and cannot provide sufficient tension reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adhesive bonding function into multiple discrete approximation devices that can be distributed across large wound areas. Each device provides localized bonding and tension distribution, allowing scalable application to wounds of various sizes while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional adhesive application to three-dimensional approximation structures that extend beyond the immediate wound surface, providing mechanical support and tension distribution across larger areas while maintaining ease of application through the adhesive bonding mechanism
4Reliability
If traditional closure methods are used, then incisions can be closed, but repositioning capability is lost and visibility during healing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning using removable adhesive that allows adjustment before final bonding. This preliminary stage enables repositioning capability, and after optimal positioning is achieved, the adhesive is activated to provide permanent fixation for the healing period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates translucent or porous materials in the approximation devices that allow light transmission and visual monitoring of the healing wound and surrounding tissue without compromising the structural integrity or adhesive bonding function
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 infection risk, minimizes foreign body material, improves cosmetic outcomes, eliminates the need for stitch removal, and allows for efficient closure of large wounds with enhanced fixation and visibility, facilitating better wound healing and infection prevention.
Implementation Method 1
using a weak adhesive for initial placement and a stronger adhesive for secure bonding
Data Source
AI summary
An incision guide and wound closure device includes a surgical mesh having a top surface and a bottom surface, and first and second incision guides affixed to the top surface of the surgical mesh. The bottom surface of the mesh is adhered to tissue using clear or translucent adhesive. The first and second incision guides have opposing alignment surfaces that are adapted to guide a cutting instrument for making an incision through the mesh and into the tissue. The device has a closing element that is moveable along the length of the respective first and second incision guides for drawing the first and second alignment surfaces toward one another for closing the incision opening in the tissue.