Compound Barb Medical Device with Vibrational Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming barbs on medical devices, such as sutures, are often difficult and costly to implement, failing to provide optimal configurations for varying medical procedures and tissue types.
Innovation Solution
A compound barb medical device with an elongated body featuring barbs with multiple orientations and angles, formed using vibrational energy to create specific cut ratios and angles, allowing for customizable barb configurations suitable for different medical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional methods are used to form barbs on sutures, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the barb configuration cannot be optimized for different medical indications and tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable cutting element that can vary its orientation and depth during the barb formation process. This allows the same manufacturing device to create multiple barb configurations (different angles, depths, and orientations) on a single suture, thereby achieving adaptability for different medical indications without requiring multiple specialized manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key manufacturing parameters such as cutting element orientation, cutting depth, and vibration characteristics during the barb formation process. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can produce varied barb geometries (e.g., different angles relative to the suture axis, different cut depths as ratios of suture diameter) from a single manufacturing setup, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity
2Reliability
If a random configuration of barbs is used, then optimal wound closure may be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration of the cutting element during barb formation to achieve precise, controlled cuts that create effective barb configurations. The vibration enables the cutting element to efficiently remove material and form clean, consistent barbs with specific geometries, making the manufacturing of complex or random barb patterns feasible without excessive cost or difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process incorporates preliminary positioning and orientation of the cutting element before each cut is made. This preliminary action ensures that each barb is formed with the correct configuration for optimal wound closure, whether random or patterned, while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through pre-planned cutting sequences and positions
3Strength
If multiple barbs are used for small tissue repair, then tissue holding is improved, but the number of barbs must be reduced for small wounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the barb formation process into controllable units where individual barbs can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the manufacturing system to produce sutures with varying numbers of barbs (from a single barb to multiple barbs) depending on the specific wound size and tissue repair requirements, while maintaining optimal tissue holding strength through proper barb placement and geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing device is designed with universal capabilities to produce multiple barb configurations on a single suture, including varying numbers, orientations, and spacings of barbs. This multi-functionality allows one suture product to adapt to different wound sizes and tissue types, providing both strong tissue holding for large wounds and appropriate reduced barb counts for small wounds
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 enables the creation of barbed sutures with customizable barb orientations and angles, enhancing tissue holding capabilities and adaptability for various medical procedures, improving wound closure and tissue repair efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
applying vibrational energy to a cutting element to form a compound barb on at least a portion of the medical device
Data Source
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AI summary
A compound barb medical device is provided which includes an elongated body having at least one barb formed along the length of the body, the barb defining an inner surface with a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and a second portion disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. Optionally, a third portion disposed at a third orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. A method for forming a compound barb on a medical device is also provided.