Barbed Suture Forming Punch Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming barbs on sutures are difficult, costly, and lack the flexibility to vary the size, number, location, and depth of barbs, making them inefficient for different wound closure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a suture nest and a punch apparatus, where the suture nest has recesses and openings, and the punch apparatus includes movable punch members that can be heated to form barbs on the suture by engaging with the nest, allowing for customizable barb formation along the suture length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical cutting, laser cutting, injection molding, or extrusion methods are used to form barbs on sutures, then barbs can be formed on the suture, but the process becomes difficult, costly, and lacks flexibility to vary the size, number, location, and depth of barbs
Solution Approach 1:
The punch member is made selectively movable relative to the suture nest, allowing dynamic adjustment of barb formation positions and configurations. This enables flexible variation of barb size, number, location, and depth by controlling the movement and engagement of the punch member with the suture material, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus allows changing multiple parameters of barb formation including size, number, location, and depth by adjusting the position and engagement of the movable punch member. This parameter flexibility is achieved through a simple, cost-effective mechanical system that can be easily modified for different surgical applications.
2Productivity
If conventional barb formation methods are used, then barbs can be formed on sutures, but the process is inefficient and cannot easily accommodate different wound closure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The suture nest and movable punch member configuration serves multiple functions: it can form barbs at various positions along the suture, create different barb densities, and accommodate various suture types. This multi-functional design enables efficient production of sutures tailored to different wound closure requirements without requiring multiple specialized machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The selective movability of the punch member allows the same apparatus to efficiently produce different barb configurations by simple positional adjustments, making the system adaptable to various wound closure scenarios while maintaining high productivity through a single versatile machine.
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and customizable formation of barbs on sutures, allowing for varying configurations to suit different wound closure needs, including bi-directional barbed sutures, with improved structural strength and tissue gripping capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the punch apparatus includes movable punch members that can be heated to form barbs on the suture
Data Source
AI summary
A system for forming one or more barbs on a length of suture is provided. The system includes a suture nest and a punch apparatus. The suture nest defines a longitudinal passage configured for receipt of a length of suture. The suture nest includes at least one recess formed along the longitudinal passage and at least one opening corresponding to the at least one recess. The punch apparatus includes at least one punch member corresponding to the at least one opening in the suture nest. The at least one punch member is configured to be selectively received within the at least one opening in the suture nest.