Composite Suture Ends for Surgical Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sutures, particularly those made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), are difficult to distinguish during surgery due to their colorless nature, leading to confusion between incoming and outgoing ends, especially in endoscopic procedures, and they often exhibit glare under bright surgical lights.
Innovation Solution
A suture with an elongate woven braid of filaments, where at least one end is made of UHMWPE and the other ends are made from dyeable materials, allowing for distinct coloration and reduction of glare through the use of anti-wicking compounds and specific dyeing processes, enabling clear differentiation between ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If UHMWPE material is used for suture construction, then suture strength and pliability are improved, but coloration capability deteriorates making ends indistinguishable
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is constructed as a composite braid combining UHMWPE filaments (for strength and pliability) with dyeable filament materials (for coloration). This composite construction allows the suture to simultaneously achieve the mechanical properties of UHMWPE and the coloration capability of dyeable materials, resolving the contradiction between strength and coloration capability.
2Reliability
If suture material is made colorless, then biocompatibility is improved, but visual distinguishability deteriorates causing confusion between ends
Solution Approach 1:
The suture applies local quality by coloring only specific portions (the ends) of the suture while keeping the main body colorless or minimally colored. This allows the ends to be visually distinguishable for proper identification and knot-tying, while the bulk material maintains its biocompatible colorless properties.
3Illumination intensity
If bright surgical lighting is used, then surgical visibility is improved, but glare from colorless sutures increases making ends harder to distinguish
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies color changes by incorporating dyeable filaments that are colored to create contrast between the suture ends and the surrounding surgical field. This coloration reduces glare effects and makes the ends clearly distinguishable under bright surgical lighting conditions, resolving the contradiction between surgical visibility and end distinguishability.
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 solution provides clear, distinguishable ends and reduces glare, enhancing surgical efficiency by allowing surgeons to easily identify suture ends and junctions, even in confined spaces and under intense lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one second end is made from a colorable material... at least one third end is made from a dyeable material
Data Source
AI summary
A suture made of a woven braid of fibers is provided. The suture includes: at least one first end; at least one second end comprising a colorable material wherein the second end has been colored a single color along an entire length of the second end; and at least one third end comprising a colorable material wherein only a portion of the third end is colored a continuous color. In another embodiment, a method of manufacture of a suture is provided. The method includes: braiding an elongate suture from a first end, a second end comprising a colorable material, and a third end comprising a colorable material; coloring the second end a single first color along an entire length of the second end; coloring only a first portion of the third end a second color.