Collapsible Barbed Sutures with Web-like Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barbed sutures face issues with reliability, durability, and tissue damage due to rigid barbs, delamination, and the 'sawing effect' during tissue passage, which can lead to structural failure and complications in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of barbed sutures with flexible barbs and openings in the core thread to minimize drag and the 'sawing effect', along with support elements to reinforce barbs and reduce delamination, and the use of biocompatible materials and geometric structures to enhance flexibility and attachment strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid barbs are used to reinforce the suture, then strength and durability are improved, but drag and tissue damage increase during passage
Solution Approach 1:
The barbs are designed to dynamically change their configuration from an extended state during insertion to a collapsed state during tissue passage. This dynamic transformation allows the barbs to provide maximum strength when needed while minimizing drag and tissue damage during movement through the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the barbs (specifically their orientation and projection distance from the suture core) are changed between two states: extended for strength/durability and collapsed for reduced drag. This parameter change enables the suture to adapt its mechanical properties based on the operational phase.
2Ease of operation
If barbs are made flexible to reduce drag, then ease of passage through tissue is improved, but structural integrity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The barbs exhibit dynamic mechanical properties, being flexible during passage to reduce drag but becoming rigid when engaged with tissue to ensure reliability. This dynamic behavior is achieved through the collapsible design that allows the barbs to transition between states based on operational requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
A barbed suture includes a flexible thread having a leading end and a trailing end, and a plurality of barbs projecting from the flexible thread. The flexible thread has a plurality of web-like openings formed therein, whereby each of the openings is disposed adjacent one of the barbs. The openings enhance the flexibility of the barbs and provide space for the barbs to collapse inwardly as the leading end of the flexible thread is pulled through a medium such as tissue. When the barbs are collapsed, the diameter of the barbed sections is preferably no greater than the diameter of the non-barbed sections. In one embodiment, a support element interconnects at least one of the barbs and the flexible thread for reinforcing the at least one barb and resisting flexure of the at least one barb toward the leading end of the flexible thread.