Bidirectional Barbed Suture for Knot-Free Tissue Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue sutures for wound closure and surgical incisions lack improved grip and efficiency, particularly in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, requiring enhanced tissue approximation and fixation without the need for knot tying.
Innovation Solution
A directional or bi-directional suture apparatus with injection molded or cold-headed elements, featuring a flexible body with tissue-engaging elements and knots that provide a secure grip without conventional machine cutting, suitable for use in cosmetic surgery procedures like facial lifting and contouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional barbed sutures are used for wound closure, then tissue engagement is achieved, but the grip efficiency and approximation precision are insufficient for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is divided into multiple discrete tissue-engaging elements (barbs) spaced along the flexible body, with each barb independently engaging tissue. This segmentation allows for distributed grip points that collectively provide precise tissue approximation while maintaining reliable engagement through multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue-engaging elements are designed with specific local geometries (barbs with particular angles, shapes, and spacing) optimized for their local function of gripping tissue. The barbs have tapered portions and engagement surfaces specifically shaped to interact with tissue in a controlled manner, improving both precision and reliability at each engagement point.
2Productivity
If traditional suture methods requiring knot tying are used, then wound closure is achieved, but procedural time increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knot-tying operation is extracted and eliminated from the surgical procedure. The suture design inherently provides tissue engagement and wound closure through the barbed structure itself, removing the need for separate knot-tying steps and reducing both procedural time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture performs its own function of securing tissue through the inherent gripping capability of the barbed structure. The barbs automatically engage and hold tissue in place without requiring additional knot-tying operations, making the suture self-sufficient and simplifying the surgical workflow.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional machine cutting is used to create tissue-gripping structures, then manufacturing is possible, but manufacturing precision and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue-engaging barbs are pre-formed as integral parts of the flexible body during the molding process, before the suture is implanted. This preliminary formation ensures precise geometry and structural integrity are achieved through controlled manufacturing (injection molding or cold heading) rather than post-implantation creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible body and tissue-engaging barbs are merged into a single integrated structure through injection molding or cold heading. This combining of elements ensures that the barbs are precisely formed with correct dimensions and angles, while also ensuring structural integrity through the unified construction rather than assembly of separate parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture assembly includes an elongated flexible body supporting a plurality of frusto-conically shaped tissue-engaging elements in a generally spaced arrangement thereon. A curved body having a sharp point is joined to one end of the flexible body while a straight pointed body is joined to the remaining end of the flexible body. In alternate embodiments, the tissue-engaging elements are elliptical or polygonal in cross-section. In a still further alternate embodiment, the tissue-engaging elements are divided into first and second oppositely facing sets to provide a bidirectional suture.