Braided Suture Material with Protruding Thread Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical suture materials require knotting, which is challenging to learn and can lead to wound dehiscences due to incorrect technique, and existing knotless solutions like barbed sutures are prone to material weakening and reduced mechanical resilience.
Innovation Solution
A surgical suture material in the form of a thread mesh with protruding thread structures that anchor in biological tissues without knots, utilizing thread loops that can be reinforced and arranged for optimal flexibility and strength, reducing material weakening and allowing for adjustable anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suture materials are used with knotting, then secure anchorage to tissues is achieved, but the complexity of operation increases and wound dehiscence risk increases due to incorrect knotting technique
Solution Approach 1:
The suture material features self-retaining barbs that automatically anchor to tissue without requiring knots. The barbs are pre-formed structures that engage with tissue upon insertion, making the suture self-sufficient for anchorage and eliminating the need for surgeon-knotted fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed structures are pre-formed on the suture material during manufacturing, before use. These barbs are prepared in advance to engage with tissue, eliminating the need for complex knotting operations during surgery and reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If barbed sutures with monofilament structure are used, then knotless closure is achieved, but mechanical resilience decreases due to material weakening at barb locations
Solution Approach 1:
The suture material combines monofilament and braided structures to create a composite design. The monofilament core provides structural integrity and strength, while the braided outer layer accommodates the barbed structures. This composite approach allows knotless closure while maintaining mechanical resilience, as the braided structure compensates for potential weakening at barb locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the suture material have different structures optimized for specific functions. The core maintains high strength and rigidity, while the outer braided layer with barbs provides anchoring capability. This local differentiation allows the barbs to function effectively without compromising overall mechanical strength.
3Reliability
If multiple knots are placed for secure anchorage, then reliability of fixation increases, but tissue trauma increases due to high level of material entry
Solution Approach 1:
The barbed suture material provides self-retaining fixation through its barbed structures that anchor automatically upon insertion. This eliminates the need for multiple knots, reducing the amount of material entering the tissue and thereby minimizing tissue trauma while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The knotting operation is extracted and replaced by the barbed anchoring mechanism. Instead of requiring multiple knots for secure fixation, the barbs provide inherent anchorage, removing the harmful effect of repeated tissue penetration associated with multiple knots.
4Reliability
If barbs are created by incisions in monofilament, then self-locking capability is achieved, but linear tensile strength decreases by one USP strength
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with monofilament core and braided outer layer allows the barbs to be formed on the braided portion without significantly compromising the overall linear tensile strength, as the monofilament core maintains structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed structures are localized to specific portions of the suture material, primarily on the braided outer layer, while the monofilament core remains intact to provide high tensile strength. This local placement of barbs maintains self-locking capability without uniformly reducing strength throughout the entire suture.
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 thread mesh suture material provides secure, knotless fixation with reduced tissue trauma and enhanced mechanical resilience, improving wound closure and minimizing foreign body reactions.
Implementation Method 1
thread structures protruding from the thread mesh for anchoring in biological tissues
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical suture material (10; 210; 30; 40; 50) in the form of a braided thread. Said suture material (10; 210; 30; 40; 50) has threads that project from the braided thread (16; 20; 216; 220a-e; 34; 36; 44) and can be anchored in biological tissue.