Subcuticular Dermal Fastening for Aesthetic Skin Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suturing and stapling techniques for skin closure involve puncturing the epidermis and dermis, leading to aesthetically undesirable results, increased risk of infection, and the need for post-healing removal of non-absorbable fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical system that approximates dermal tissue layers below the skin surface using a tissue manipulator and applicator apparatus, driving bioabsorbable fasteners through the dermal layer to secure tissue without exposing them externally, ensuring effective and aesthetically pleasing closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suturing or stapling techniques are used to close skin openings, then the tissue opening is effectively closed and healing is promoted, but the epidermis and dermis are punctured leading to aesthetically undesirable results and increased infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastener application from the epidermal layer and relocates it to the dermal layer. The fastener is applied subcuticularly, removing it from the harmful epidermal puncture path while maintaining its tissue-closing function in the deeper dermal layer where it promotes healing without compromising aesthetics or increasing infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying fasteners from the external epidermal surface inward, the invention inverts the approach by applying fasteners from the deeper dermal layer. This reversal allows the fastener to secure tissue without creating external puncture wounds in the epidermis, thereby eliminating the aesthetic and infection-related harms.
2Reliability
If non-absorbable fasteners are used for tissue closure, then effective tissue approximation is achieved, but post-healing removal is required adding additional procedures and patient burden
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the fastener from non-absorbable to absorbable. This parameter change allows the fastener to perform its tissue approximation function during the healing period and then automatically degrade and disappear, eliminating the need for post-healing removal procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable, short-living fastener that serves its purpose during the critical healing period and then naturally degrades. This approach eliminates the need for long-term retention and subsequent removal, reducing overall procedural complexity and patient burden.
3Strength
If fasteners are applied through the epidermis and dermis, then secure tissue fastening is achieved, but the fastener is exposed externally creating infection risk and aesthetic concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial dimension of fastener application from the superficial epidermal plane to the deeper dermal plane. By operating in this deeper dimensional layer, the fastener achieves secure tissue fastening while remaining hidden beneath the epidermis, thereby eliminating external exposure and its associated infection and aesthetic problems.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface. Preferably, the manipulator apparatus and the applicator apparatus are arranged together as part of a hand-held instrument capable of carrying and deploying multiple fasteners.