Electrically Weldable Suture Material for Localized Tissue-Safe Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for suturing, such as direct heat application and ultrasonic welding, face challenges including tissue heating, equipment bulkiness, cost, and limited access due to the need for straight-line access, making them unsuitable for certain surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrically weldable polymer sutures and a novel apparatus that applies low-voltage electrical energy to form welds without bulky equipment, allowing access through curved paths and ensuring consistent, high-strength welds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct heat application is used to weld suture segments, then welding can be achieved, but surrounding tissue is undesirably heated and the entire suture cross-section may melt weakening the suture
Solution Approach 1:
The suture material incorporates a conductive core with different thermal properties than the outer suture material. When electrical current is applied, heat is generated locally within the core, which then conducts heat to the immediate weld interface. This localized heating approach welds only the segments in contact while preserving surrounding tissue and maintaining the strength of the rest of the suture.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is constructed as a composite material with an inner conductive core (such as metal or conductive polymer) and an outer biocompatible suture material. This composite structure enables electrical current to flow through the core, generating heat precisely where needed at the weld interface, while the outer material provides tissue compatibility and structural integrity.
2Reliability
If ultrasonic welding is used to fuse suture sections, then localized heating is achieved preserving suture strength, but bulky expensive equipment is required and straight line access is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical ultrasonic vibration system with an electrical heating system. Instead of using ultrasonic transducers and waveguides to generate frictional heat through mechanical vibration, the invention uses electrical current flowing through the conductive core to generate heat directly via Joule heating. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky ultrasonic equipment and allows the use of flexible, curved instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive core acts as an intermediary element that carries electrical current to the weld site and converts it to heat. This intermediary approach allows energy delivery through flexible wires rather than requiring direct mechanical contact with bulky transducers, enabling access through curved paths to difficult-to-reach surgical sites.
3Reliability
If individual separate stitches are used to secure tissue edges, then uniform tension is achieved and selective removal is possible, but each stitch requires an individual knot or closure device increasing procedure time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the suture material and the joining mechanism into a single integrated component. The conductive core embedded within the suture enables the suture itself to be welded directly, eliminating the need for separate knots, clips, or fasteners. Multiple stitches can be welded in sequence or even simultaneously, dramatically reducing the time required to secure tissue edges while maintaining uniform tension and the ability to selectively remove individual stitches.
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
This approach enables reliable, strong suture welds in confined spaces, reducing tissue damage and costs, and is compatible with minimally invasive surgeries, including robotic applications.
Implementation Method 1
the suture material is heated by passage of electrical current through the suture material
Implementation Method 2
the use of electrical energy to fuse polymer materials into useful shapes
Data Source
AI summary
A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.