Drug-Loaded Biodegradable Suture Coating Without Strength Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery sutures face challenges such as reduced mechanical strength and limited drug loading capacity, with existing methods often causing systemic drug delivery and inconvenient long-term administration, and are primarily limited to antibiotic delivery for infection prevention.
Innovation Solution
A suture with a drug-loaded biodegradable polymer layer is developed by preparing a film with a drug-loaded biodegradable polymer layer and winding or coating it around the suture, using techniques like electrospinning and non-wet coating to maintain mechanical strength while enabling controlled drug release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture is coated with a solution including a drug and a polymer by immersion, then the suture can deliver drugs locally, but the mechanical strength of the suture is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the suture system into two independent components: the suture core and the drug-loaded polymer film. The film is prepared separately by dissolving the polymer and drug in a solvent, casting into a film, drying, and then cutting into segments that are wound around the suture. This segmentation prevents the coating solution from penetrating and weakening the suture fibers, while still enabling effective drug delivery through the film layers.
2Ease of operation
If a suture is coated with a mixture comprising antibiotics and a copolymer by immersion, then the suture can provide topical drug delivery, but the mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming the drug-loaded polymer film before applying it to the suture. The polymer and drug are mixed in a solvent, cast into a film, and dried to form a solid structure that contains the drug. This pre-formed film is then wound around the suture and heat-sealed, preventing the coating solution from compromising the suture's mechanical strength while ensuring topical drug delivery capability.
3Reliability
If a tube-shaped suture with pores or channels is used to load liquid drug, then the drug can be delivered to the wound, but the mechanical strength is undesirably decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible thin film layers instead of tube-shaped structures with pores or channels. The drug-loaded polymer film is cast as a continuous thin layer, cut into segments, and wound around the suture. This thin film approach provides effective drug delivery through the film matrix while maintaining the mechanical strength of the suture core, avoiding the structural weakness associated with porous or tubular modifications.
4Reliability
If oral drug administration is used to prevent complications at sutured sites, then the drug can reach the site of interest, but the drug is delivered systemically to the whole body causing inconvenience and complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by formulating a drug-loaded polymer film that delivers the drug locally at the sutured site. The film is applied directly to the suture, and the drug is released at the wound location through diffusion or degradation of the polymer matrix. This localized delivery ensures the drug reaches the target site effectively while avoiding systemic circulation and associated side effects, providing targeted therapy with minimal harm to other body systems.
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 allows for effective topical drug delivery of various drugs, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, without compromising mechanical strength, with controlled release profiles and extended drug delivery periods, enhancing therapeutic effects and patient convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The system is physically adhered to the suture to ensure topical transfer of the drug
Implementation Method 2
absorbable sutures are mainly used, which are biodegraded and absorbed by water or enzyme
Implementation Method 3
absorbable sutures are mainly used, which are biodegraded and absorbed by water or enzyme
Implementation Method 4
the liquid drug is delivered to the wound
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a suture including a drug-loaded polymer layer and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a suture, the surface of which is wound with a film including a drug-loaded biodegradable polymer layer, or coated with a drug-loaded biodegradable polymer layer, and to a method of manufacturing the same.