Multi-Strand Suture with Cinching Fixture for Seroma Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures often result in the formation of seromas, which are collections of fluid that can cause discomfort, damage surrounding tissue, compromise healing, and lead to infection, requiring additional medical interventions and increasing costs, especially in procedures like breast surgeries and hernia repairs where tissue elevation and manipulation occur.
Innovation Solution
A multi-strand suture article with a cinching fixture is used to approximate tissue surfaces by anchoring at multiple locations with barbs or t-tags and utilizing a cinching mechanism to draw the tissue surfaces closer, reducing fluid accumulation and eliminating the need for surgical drains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If surgical drains are placed to manage fluid accumulation, then fluid drainage is improved, but patient discomfort and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchors are placed in the tissue before the cinching fixture is applied, preliminarily establishing the approximation structure that will prevent fluid accumulation without requiring post-operative drains
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the need for surgical drains by using tissue approximation sutures that eliminate dead space, thereby taking out the harmful element (drains) while maintaining their fluid management function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If internal quilting sutures are placed to close dead space, then seroma formation is reduced, but surgical complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the suture placement and tissue approximation functions into a single integrated device with pre-positioned anchors and a cinching fixture, combining multiple surgical steps into one procedure that reduces seroma formation without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The suture article with cinching fixture serves multiple functions simultaneously: it anchors tissue, approximates surfaces, eliminates dead space, and prevents seroma formation, making a multi-functional device that addresses several concerns in one intervention
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple sutures are meticulously placed to approximate tissue surfaces, then tissue approximation is improved, but surgical time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchors are pre-positioned in the tissue at appropriate spacing and depth before the cinching action, preliminarily establishing precise approximation points that will be drawn together when the fixture is cinched, achieving precision without time-consuming individual suture placement
Solution Approach 2:
The suture article is segmented into multiple independent anchor elements that can be independently positioned in the tissue, allowing precise placement at multiple locations while using a single cinching mechanism to secure all anchors simultaneously, reducing overall surgical time
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
This method effectively reduces seroma formation, minimizes post-surgical complications, and decreases the reliance on surgical drains, thereby lowering medical costs and improving patient outcomes by promoting better tissue approximation and healing.
Implementation Method 1
a cinching fixture adapted to slidingly engage the lengths so as to be able to move from the opposite ends toward the terminal ends, so as to move the anchors from a relatively more distant position to a relatively near position with respect to one another
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a suture article and a suture placement device adapted to insert into opposing tissue surfaces the anchors of a suture article having anchors on its terminal ends, the device comprising in general terms: (a) an optional handle portion; (b) an insertion portion extending from the handle having a distal end comprising anchor-directing portions that diverge from one another so as to form a V-shape, adapted to releasably engage the anchors; and (c) a hollow cinching cannula/suture conduit slidingly engaged by the handle portion so as to be moveable between a position relatively nearer the handle and a position relatively nearer the insertion portion distal end.