Bioswellable Sutures for Vascular Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical sutures often have a large needle-to-suture diameter ratio, leading to needle-hole leakage and associated bleeding and infection issues during surgeries, particularly in vascular and gastrointestinal procedures, where existing solutions like Fibrin Glue may promote bacterial growth and increase infection risk.
Innovation Solution
Development of bioswellable surgical sutures that undergo at least a 20% increase in cross-sectional area when placed in a biological environment, comprising compliant monofilaments with specific polyether-ester materials and surface coatings, designed to minimize needle-hole leakage and infection risk while maintaining breaking strength and knot security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional surgical sutures with large needle-to-suture diameter ratio are used, then ease of needle insertion is improved, but needle-hole leakage and bleeding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture material undergoes a parameter change in diameter when exposed to biological fluids, expanding from a smaller initial diameter to a larger final diameter that fills the needle hole, thereby preventing leakage while maintaining ease of insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The suture transitions from a static small-diameter state during insertion to a dynamic expanded state after implantation, adapting its size to seal the needle hole and prevent bleeding
2Reliability
If Fibrin Glue is used to seal needle holes, then hemostasis is improved, but risk of bacterial growth and infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture material is designed to be temporarily functional, providing hemostasis and sealing during the critical healing period, then gradually degrading and being absorbed by the body, eliminating long-term infection risks associated with permanent sealants
Solution Approach 2:
The suture material performs self-sealing through its expansion properties when exposed to biological fluids, eliminating the need for additional sealants like Fibrin Glue that carry infection risks
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 bioswellable sutures effectively reduce needle-hole leakage and bleeding, enhance hemostasis, and lower the risk of infection by expanding to fill the needle hole and providing sustained breaking strength and antimicrobial protection, making them superior alternatives to traditional sutures in various surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the monofilament having a tensile modulus of less than about 400 Kpsi and exhibiting an at least 20 percent increase in cross-sectional area and an at least 5 percent decrease in tensile modulus when placed in a biological environment
Implementation Method 2
the outer layer comprising highly hydrophilic moieties derived from grafts of at least one unsaturated monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, and methacrylic acid
Data Source
AI summary
Bioswellable sutures are provided in the form of absorbable, compliant monofilaments of an amphiphilic copolyester, an absorbable multifilament braid, a non-absorbable monofilament with swellable outer layer, a non-absorbable multifilament braid with an absorbable monofilament core of an amphiphilic copolymer, and a non-absorbable, multifilament braid molecularly integrated with an outer sheath that is highly hydrophilic.