Elastic Tissue Fastener with Frangible Segments for Dynamic Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-retaining sutures lack the ability to stretch and recover after implantation, which is necessary for certain surgical procedures involving tissues that need to expand and contract, such as those for pelvic floor prolapse, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and fecal incontinence, as they are typically designed to maintain tissue closure without flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A tissue fastener with a first elongate elastic component and a second elongate component featuring frangible points and tissue anchoring elements, allowing for axial expansion and contraction while maintaining tissue attachment, comprising a composite structure with a barbed core and an elastic sheath that can be strategically severed for tissue extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If self-retaining sutures are designed with fixed retainers embedded in tissue to maintain secure attachment, then tissue closure stability is improved, but tissue stretching capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is divided into multiple retainers spaced along its length, with frangible points between adjacent retainers. These frangible points allow the suture to be selectively severed to create segments that can move independently, enabling stretching and contraction of the suture while maintainin tissue attachment at each retainer location.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic system where segments can be separated at frangible points. This allows the suture to adapt its configuration - remaining stable when intact for tissue closure, and becoming flexible when segments are separated to allow stretching for functions like sphincter repair or mesh retention.
2Reliability
If sutures are designed to provide strong tissue retention without giving under stress, then wound closure reliability is improved, but elasticity and recoverability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suture's mechanical properties are modified by creating frangible points that change the structural parameters of the suture. When intact, the suture provides strong continuous retention. When frangible points are separated, the suture segments can elongate and contract elastically while maintaining tissue attachment at each segment, thus changing from a rigid to a flexible state.
3Device complexity
If retainers are embedded into tissue to secure the suture without additional anchors, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to stretch along length is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is segmented into multiple retainers with frangible points between them. This segmentation allows the suture to maintain simple embedded retainers for securing, while the separable segments enable stretching along the length. The frangible points provide the mechanism for segment separation without requiring additional anchors or complex structures.
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 device provides support and reinforcement to tissues while allowing for natural elasticity, enabling tissues to expand and contract, thereby improving surgical outcomes in procedures requiring elastic tissue repair and reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
a first elongate elastic component... the elasticity of the first elongate component is greater than that of the second elongate component
Implementation Method 2
a second elongate component having one or more elongate sections each adjacent section delineated by at least one frangible point
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue fastener having fixed points of tissue attachment including a first elongate elastic component and a second elongate component having one or more elongate sections each adjacent section delineated by at least one frangible point.