Wound Closure Device Segmented Sheet Slits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wound closure devices are prone to separation along perforations when applied to curved wounds or joints, leading to poor followability and increased resistance during bending, and separation issues during peeling.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with orthogonal sheet members and closure elements featuring slits between adjacent elements, allowing for flexible V-shaped or parallel slit configurations that enhance followability and reduce separation during peeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If perforations are provided to allow easy cutting of the sheet member, then cutting ease is improved, but the sheet member becomes prone to separation along the perforations when applied to curved wounds or joints
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet member is divided into multiple segments by providing slits between adjacent closure elements. These slits create flexible segments that can bend and follow curved wound contours without causing separation, while still allowing the sheet to be cut into appropriate lengths for different wound sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The slits are arranged in a pattern that creates a three-dimensional flexible structure. The slits extend in directions that allow the sheet member to deform in multiple directions, enabling it to conform to curved surfaces and joint movements without separating along the cut lines.
2Reliability
If the sheet member is made more resistant to tearing, then separation resistance is improved, but the sense of resistance (tightness) increases when joints are bent or stretched, resulting in poorer comfort
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sheet member into flexible sections separated by slits, the structure can locally deform at the slit regions without requiring the entire sheet to resist tearing. This localized flexibility maintains comfort during joint movement while the overall structure remains intact and functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The slits change the mechanical parameters of the sheet member by creating controlled weak points that allow deformation. These slits enable the sheet to transition from a rigid, tear-resistant structure to a flexible, comfort-friendly structure that can adapt to body movements without excessive resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet member is applied to follow the curved shape of the wound, then followability is improved, but the sheet member becomes prone to separation along the perforations
Solution Approach 1:
The slits create segmented regions that can independently bend and conform to curved wound shapes. Each segment between slits can follow the local contour of the wound without causing stress concentration that would lead to separation, enabling the sheet to adapt to curved surfaces while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device 100 that closes a wound on a skin includes a pair of sheet members 41a, 41b that have an axial direction da and a width direction db orthogonal to the axial direction da and face each other with a space 41s provided in the width direction db, and a plurality of closure elements 2a, 2b that are attached to the pair of sheet members 41a, 41b across the space 41s and arranged in the axial direction da. The closure element 2a, 2b respectively include bases 10a, 10b and adjusters 30a, 30b that are arranged on the pair of sheet members 41a, 41b to face each other across the space 41s, and drawstrings 20a, 20b that extend from the bases 10a, 10b and engage with the adjusters 30a, 30b. The pair of sheet members 41a, 41b include a plurality of slits 51, 52 provided in a plurality of areas, each of the plurality of areas being provided between pairs of the closure elements 2a, 2b adjacent to each other.