Braided Suture Color Mark Layout for Direction Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sutures lack effective visual indicators to distinguish between ends and determine the direction of application, especially in minimally invasive procedures, leading to potential misidentification and improper knotting.
Innovation Solution
A suture with an outer sheath featuring a plurality of color marks, comprising exposed portions of two colored yarns and a background yarn, arranged in a specific pattern to provide a visual directional indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If geometric patterns such as arrows are used to indicate direction, then directional indication is provided, but the pattern visibility and recognizability deteriorate when threads are too thin or the arrow shape becomes indistinct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color marks formed by colored yarns (first color, second color, and background color) to create highly visible directional indicators on the suture. The color marks contrast with the background to provide clear directional indication without relying on geometric patterns that may become indistinct. The exposed portions of colored yarns create distinct color sequences that are easily detectable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the visual parameter from geometric shape recognition to color recognition. By using colored yarns with different colors (first color, second color, background color) arranged in specific sequences, the directional indication becomes more visible and easier to detect, especially in minimally invasive procedures where visibility is reduced.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sutures with the same appearance are used, then surgical flexibility is improved, but the ability to distinguish between suture ends and directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct color mark patterns at specific locations on the suture. Each suture can have color marks with specific sequences (e.g., first color, second color, background color) that provide local directional information. This allows multiple sutures to maintain their functional flexibility while each carrying its own directional identification through localized color patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes through different yarn colors (first color, second color, background color) to encode directional information on each suture. This allows multiple sutures to be visually distinguished from one another while maintaining the same functional properties, solving the problem of identifying suture ends and directions when multiple identical-appearing sutures are used.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the suture is used in minimally invasive procedures, then patient trauma is reduced, but the surgeon's ability to identify suture ends and direction deteriorates due to reduced visibility and confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses highly contrasting color marks formed by colored yarns to provide clear directional indication in minimally invasive procedures. The color marks (using first color, second color, and background color) are designed to be visually distinct and easily detectable through the scope, compensating for the reduced visibility and confined working space characteristic of minimally invasive surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the visual information into distinct color components (first color yarns, second color yarns, background color yarns) that can be individually perceived. This segmentation of visual information into discrete color elements makes it easier for surgeons to identify suture orientation and direction in the low-visibility environment of minimally invasive procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture includes an outer sheath with color marks and a background visually distinguishable from the color marks. Each color mark has exposed portions of at least two colored yarns of first and second different colors. The background includes exposed portions of background yarns of a background color. The background yarns and the colored yarns are braided to each other. The first and second colors are different from the background color. The color marks are arranged in at least one row along a longitudinal direction of the suture. Each color mark is longitudinally shifted with respect to a subsequent color mark in a same row by a first shift, and the exposed portions of the colored yarns of each color mark are substantially parallel to each other and arranged in a sequence along the longitudinal direction of the suture.