Atraumatic Wound Closure Using Anchored Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wound closure techniques, such as sutures and staples, cause further trauma to the tissue and can lead to scarring, especially in irregularly shaped wounds, and do not effectively manage wounds without piercing the underlying tissue.
Innovation Solution
A wound closure system comprising a flexible substrate with raised anchoring members and an optional adhesive, allowing for atraumatic closure by securing a thread to the substrate and anchoring members without piercing the tissue, which can be used to reapproximate wound edges and secure medical devices or dressings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sutures or staples are used for wound closure, then the wound edges can be approximated and closed, but the underlying tissue is pierced causing additional trauma and scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a substrate as an intermediary layer between the wound edges and the closing mechanism. The substrate has raised anchoring members that engage with the wound edges without piercing the underlying tissue, allowing thread to be secured through the substrate rather than directly through the tissue. This mediator approach enables wound closure while avoiding direct penetration of the tissue, thereby reducing trauma and scarring.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the wound closure system into distinct functional components: the substrate layer with raised anchoring members, the thread for securing, and the adhesive for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the anchoring members engage tissue edges without piercing, the thread provides closure tension, and the adhesive secures the substrate to the wound bed, collectively achieving closure with minimal tissue trauma.
2Reliability
If sutures are used to close irregular wounds, then wound edges can be approximated, but the V-shaped openings and compromised tissue tips are further damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate acts as a protective intermediary that distributes the closing force across multiple raised anchoring members rather than concentrating it at single tissue penetration points. This allows irregular wound edges, including V-shaped openings with compromised tips, to be approximated without requiring direct needle penetration through the fragile tissue tips, thereby preventing further damage while achieving closure.
3Ease of repair
If traditional wound closure techniques are used, then wounds can be closed, but removal and re-closure require additional trauma to the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate serves as a removable intermediary that can be taken out without permanently damaging the underlying tissue. The raised anchoring members are designed to engage with wound edges through the substrate without piercing the tissue, allowing the substrate and thread to be removed together as a unit. This enables easy removal and re-closure applications, as the substrate can be applied and removed multiple times without accumulating tissue trauma, unlike traditional sutures that remain embedded in the tissue.
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 provides atraumatic wound closure that minimizes scarring, reduces tissue trauma, and allows for easy removal and re-closure without additional trauma, promoting healing and reducing the risk of infection.
Implementation Method 1
an optional adhesive adjacent (i.e., face-to-face contact with) the second major surface. The adhesive is operable for securing the article to the tissue or fabric
Data Source
AI summary
An article useful for atraumatic care and/or closure of wounds, as well as for repairing torn or ripped fabric is provided. The article comprises a substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces, a plurality of raised anchoring members disposed across the first major surface, and an optional adhesive pre-mounted adjacent the second major surface. A separate adhesive could also be used to mount the article to the desired underlying surface to be repaired. The substrate is a flexible and conformal continuous web that can be cut into pieces to custom fit the wound or fabric opening. Using the anchoring members and a thread, the pieces can be drawn together to correspondingly draw the tissue or fabric on either side(s) of the opening together, thereby closing the opening without piercing or suturing/sewing together the underlying tissue or fabric. Methods for the atraumatic care and/or closure of wounds, as well as for repairing torn or ripped fabric are also provided, including kits to facilitate the same.