Non-invasive Wound Closure via Adhesive Eversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound closure systems are invasive, cause trauma, increase infection risk, leave scars, and fail to promote optimal healing due to inadequate skin edge eversion and apposition, and often compromise tissue integrity by blocking moisture and fluid exchange.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive tissue closure system comprising a pair of closure components with a ratcheting mechanism and adhesive base, allowing for skin edge eversion without piercing, and a porous design to facilitate tissue breathing and fluid drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sutures or staples are used to close wounds, then wound closure is achieved, but tissue trauma and infection risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound closure effectivenessVSAvoidtissue trauma and infection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical piercing system (sutures and staples) with an adhesive bonding system. The closure device uses medical-grade adhesive to bond skin edges together without penetrating the tissue, thereby achieving wound closure while eliminating puncture wounds and associated infection risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adhesive layer as an intermediary substance between skin edges. This adhesive mediator creates a chemical bond rather than a mechanical one, allowing tissue approximation without direct mechanical contact that causes trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional closure devices are used, then wound closure is achieved, but scarring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound closureVSAvoidscarring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical piercing closure with adhesive bonding, the patent eliminates the puncture wounds and tissue stress that lead to scarring. The adhesive system allows for more uniform distribution of closing forces without concentrated stress points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If impervious barrier materials are used in closure devices, then wound protection is improved, but tissue fluid egress is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound protectionVSAvoidfluid accumulation and device dislodgement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous or permeable barrier materials that allow tissue fluids to pass through while still providing protective coverage. This maintains the wound environment control needed for healing while preventing fluid accumulation that would cause maceration and device failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Ease of operation

If simple adhesive strips are used, then ease of application is improved, but effectiveness for larger wounds under tension is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidclosure effectiveness for larger wounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the closure system into modular components including adhesive strips, foam padding, and flexible bandaging materials that can be combined in various configurations. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled and adapted for wounds of different sizes and tension levels while maintaining ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The system effectively closes wounds without causing trauma, reduces scarring, and promotes healing by ensuring proper skin edge apposition and eversion, while allowing for tissue fluid exchange, making it suitable for various wound sizes and emergency situations.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive base (also referred to as an adhesive base) below the standoff assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a porous design to facilitate tissue breathing and fluid drainage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3331454B1Non-invasive wound closure device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 DERMACLIP US LLC
  • EP3331454B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP3331454B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4C
  • EP3331454B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8B

AI summary

Devices, tools, systems, kits and methods for closing a tissue opening non-invasively are presented. The devices include a tissue closure device that reliably induces eversion of tissue edges that define a tissue opening.