Collagen-Coated UHMWPE Suture for Orthopedic Knot Tie-Down
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical suture materials, such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, lack acceptable knot tie-down characteristics despite being strong, which is a critical issue for surgical applications like orthopedic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A braided suture material combining ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers with polyester and a collagen coating, providing improved strength and tie-down properties while stimulating tissue incorporation and interaction with cellular components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene is used for suture material, then strength is improved, but knot tie-down characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers with polyester fibers to create a composite suture material. The UHMWPE provides exceptional strength while the polyester component improves knot tie-down characteristics, allowing the suture to achieve both high strength and acceptable knot performance that neither material could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces collagen as a coating layer that acts as an intermediary between the synthetic fibers and biological tissue. This collagen coating improves tissue incorporation and interaction with cellular components, bridging the gap between the non-biological suture material and the biological healing process.
2Reliability
If collagen coating is applied to suture, then tissue incorporation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen coating is applied to the suture fibers during the manufacturing process before the suture is put into clinical use. This preliminary application of collagen ensures that the tissue incorporation properties are already optimized when the suture is implanted, eliminating the need for additional treatment steps and simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow.
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 suture material achieves the strength of Ethibond No. 5 with the diameter and tie-ability of No. 2, enhancing its suitability for orthopedic procedures and aiding surgeons with trace threads for identification during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
Collagen coating is provided to stimulate proliferation and protein synthesis more than standard sutures, and therefore may aid in the tendon-to-bone incorporation process. Moreover, collagen, in addition to providing structural support, can interact with other matrix proteins and cellular receptor affecting cell behavior and gene expression.
Implementation Method 2
Integrins, a heterodimeric cell surface receptor involved in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, bind the collagen. Typically, four different integrins, for example, α1β1, α1β1, α10β1 and α11β1, are required to bind a collagen.
Implementation Method 3
One of the strongest materials currently formed into elongated strands is an ultrahigh molecular weight long chain polyethylene, typically used for fishing line and the like, which is sold under the trade names Dyneema or Spectra. This material is much stronger than ordinary surgical suture.
Data Source
AI summary
A high strength surgical suture formed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarns, the suture being coated with native or denatured collagen. The braided jacket surrounds a core formed of twisted yarns of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture has exceptional strength, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.