Tissue Connector With Barbed Sutures for Secure Nerve Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue connectors require suturing, which can damage nerve tissue and have limited tensile strength, making them difficult to secure at coaptation sites without causing harm.
Innovation Solution
A tissue connector device comprising a body formed from multiple layers of material with exposed barbed sutures that can be twisted to engage and secure tissue without the need for suturing, providing enhanced tensile strength and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suturing methods are used to attach tissue connectors, then the tissue connector can be secured in place, but the nerve tissue and surrounding structures may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the suture component entirely from the attachment system. The tissue connector is designed with integrated barbed edges that directly engage the tissue without requiring any intermediate suture material, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of suturing while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a flexible suture to tie the tissue connector to the tissue, the invention inverts the approach by having the rigid tissue connector itself perform the anchoring function through its barbed edges that mechanically interlock with the tissue, reversing the traditional roles of connector and suture
2Reliability
If traditional suturing methods are used to attach tissue connectors, then the tissue connector can be secured, but the tensile strength is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reverses the traditional attachment mechanism by having the tissue connector itself provide the anchoring function through integrated barbs rather than relying on external sutures. This inversion allows the connector to achieve both security and superior tensile strength
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue connector is constructed from biocompatible materials with high tensile strength properties, combining the anchoring function with the structural integrity needed to withstand tensile forces, eliminating the need for separate suture materials with limited strength
3Reliability
If microsuturing is performed to secure tissue connectors at nerve coaptation sites, then the connector can be attached, but the placement becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the suture component entirely and replacing it with an integrated barbed attachment system, the procedure is simplified from a multi-step suturing process to a single-step placement where the connector is simply positioned and the barbs automatically engage the tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue connector performs its own attachment function through its integrated barbed edges that self-engage with the tissue upon placement, eliminating the need for manual suturing operations and making the procedure easier and faster to perform
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue connector may include a body formed of one or more layers of material, and at least one barbed suture attached to the body, wherein the barbed suture is formed of a biodegradable material. A method of forming a tissue connector may include forming a body from one or more layers of a material, and attaching at least one barbed suture to the body, wherein the barbed suture is formed of a biodegradable material. A method of repairing tissue using a tissue connector may include orienting the tissue connector around coapted or damaged tissue, so that the coapted or damaged tissue contacts the inner surface of the tissue connector, twisting ends of the at least one barbed suture so that the at least one barbed suture engages the coapted or damaged tissue, and allowing the tissue connector to remain in place, so that the barbed suture degrades over time.