Bioabsorbable Adhesion Barrier for Surgical Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices fail to effectively prevent bowel injury and postoperative adhesions during abdominal surgery, as existing barrier devices are not bioabsorbable and adhesion-preventing materials are difficult to apply and prone to displacement.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device comprising a bioabsorbable envelope with a rigid or semi-rigid barrier member and a layer of bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing material, such as chemically modified sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose, which can be easily deployed and absorbed, reducing the risk of bowel injury and adhesion formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid or semi-rigid barrier devices are used to protect bowel during surgical closure, then bowel injury risk is reduced, but postoperative adhesion formation increases and devices cannot be bioabsorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the barrier device from non-bioabsorbable (rigid plastic, metal) to bioabsorbable materials. This allows the device to maintain its protective function during surgery and then naturally degrade, preventing adhesion formation. The barrier member is made of bioabsorbable materials that can be safely absorbed by the body after serving their protective purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction combining rigid or semi-rigid barrier members with bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing materials. This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength needed for bowel protection during surgery and the bioabsorbability required to prevent postoperative adhesions. The combination of different material properties resolves the contradiction between durability and biocompatibility.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If adhesion-preventing materials like chemically modified sodium hyaluronate are used, then adhesion formation is reduced, but the materials are difficult to apply and prone to displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adhesion-preventing material with a support structure or barrier device, creating an integrated system. The chemically modified sodium hyaluronate or carboxymethylcellulose is combined with a mesh, foam, or barrier member that provides structural support. This combination makes the material easier to handle and apply while maintaining its adhesion-preventing properties, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a barrier member or support structure as an intermediary carrier for the adhesion-preventing material. This intermediary provides a stable base that prevents displacement of the chemically modified sodium hyaluronate or carboxymethylcellulose, making application easier and ensuring the material remains in position to effectively prevent adhesions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If thin layer adhesion barrier materials are used, then adhesion prevention is achieved, but bowel injury risk during closure increases due to easy penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where a thin adhesion barrier layer is combined with a stronger support structure or mesh. This composite construction provides both the adhesion-preventing properties of the thin material and the protective strength of the support structure, preventing penetration during surgical closure while maintaining adhesion prevention capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the thin adhesion barrier material (chemically modified sodium hyaluronate or carboxymethylcellulose) is placed within or upon a stronger barrier member or support structure. This nesting arrangement allows the thin material to provide adhesion prevention while the outer structure provides mechanical protection, resolving the contradiction between thinness and protective strength.
4Reliability
If non-bioabsorbable barrier devices are used, then bowel protection during surgery is effective, but device removal is required and adhesion prevention is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the barrier device by using bioabsorbable materials that degrade over time. The device maintains its protective function during the critical postoperative period and then naturally absorbs, eliminating the need for removal and preventing long-term adhesion formation. This temporal transformation resolves the contradiction between effective protection and device permanence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs bioabsorbable barrier devices that serve their protective purpose temporarily and then degrade, similar to disposable products. These short-living devices provide effective bowel protection during surgery and the critical healing period, then naturally absorb without requiring removal, eliminating the problems associated with permanent non-bioabsorbable devices.
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 device safely facilitates abdominal closure by protecting the bowel and preventing postoperative adhesions, reducing the risk of complications like bowel obstruction and infection, while being cost-effective and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
A layer of bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing material is disposed on at least the first sheet on an exterior surface of the envelope
Implementation Method 2
an envelope of bioabsorbable material having a first sheet connected to a second sheet
Implementation Method 3
bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing material, such as chemically modified sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical devices and methods are provided for preventing the formation of post-operative adhesions. In one device, an envelope of material defines at least one opening, and another layer of adhesion-preventing material is disposed on an exterior surface of the envelope. A rigid or semi-rigid barrier member is at least partially disposed in a space inside the envelope, without adhering to the envelope such that the barrier member can be pulled out of the envelope through the opening.