Barbed Suture Thread with Asymmetric Barb Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sutures face challenges such as irregular healing, tissue trauma, and material excess due to knotting, while barbed sutures can cause suture coiling and have complex production processes, leading to suboptimal wound closure and healing.
Innovation Solution
A continuous-filament thread with alternating or random barb configurations, including various shapes and dispositions, is used to create barbed sutures that reduce coiling and facilitate secure anchoring without knots, allowing for customizable properties based on the wound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sutures are knotted to secure wound closure, then secure fixing is achieved, but tissue trauma and irregular healing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knotting operation from the suture process by using barbed sutures that secure tissue through the barb anchoring mechanism instead of knots, thereby removing the source of tissue trauma and irregular healing while maintaining secure wound closure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the securing mechanism from knot-based to barb-based anchoring, fundamentally altering how the suture interacts with tissue. The barbs provide friction-based anchoring that secures the suture without the compressive and cutting forces exerted by knots, thus reducing tissue trauma
2Reliability
If multiple knots are used to achieve secure knot hold, then secure fixing is improved, but material excess and foreign-body reactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for multiple overlapping knots by using a single continuous barbed suture that achieves secure holding through the distributed anchoring effect of multiple barbs along its length, thereby eliminating material excess and reducing foreign-body reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is divided into multiple segments with barbs distributed along its length, where each barb segment provides independent anchoring. This segmented barb structure replaces the need for multiple knots while maintaining secure holding through cumulative anchoring effect
3Reliability
If barbs are arranged in helical pattern on suture, then non-slip attribute is achieved, but suture coiling occurs which adversely affects scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses asymmetric barb configurations where barbs are positioned at different angles and orientations relative to the suture axis rather than in a symmetric helical pattern. This asymmetric arrangement prevents the suture from coiling while maintaining the non-slip attribute through directional barb engagement with tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different barb characteristics (angle, length, orientation) at different locations along the suture rather than a uniform helical pattern. This local variation in barb quality prevents coiling while maintaining effective anchoring in each local region
4Adaptability or versatility
If barbed sutures are produced with distinct properties, then customized wound closure is achieved, but production process becomes elaborate and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal continuous-filament thread that can be manufactured with varied barb configurations (different angles, lengths, densities, patterns) to suit different wound types and locations. This multi-functional thread design allows a single production line to produce multiple suture variants, maintaining productivity while achieving customization
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 solution provides a secure, non-slip wound closure with reduced tissue trauma and coiling, enabling improved healing and cosmetic outcomes by using a single thread to produce multiple barb configurations, thus minimizing material excess and simplifying production.
Implementation Method 1
When a pull is exerted in the opposite direction, however, the barbs stand upright and anchor themselves, and therefore also the suture, in the surrounding tissue area. This ensures that the suture cannot be pulled back through the incision channel.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c~3d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a continuous-filament thread (100; 200) comprising a continuous-filament thread body (110; 210) comprising a plurality of barbs (115;215) which preferably project from the thread body (110; 210) and to a method for producing the continuous-filament thread (100; 200). The invention further relates to a barbed suture (130; 430; 530; 630) and to a method for producing the barbed suture (130; 430; 530; 630).