Process of changing cross sectional shape within a textile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current textile manufacturing machines are expensive and have slow production rates, and there is a need for flat sutures with round or elliptical ends to facilitate integration with suture passer technology, which is not easily achieved with conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for changing the cross-sectional shape of textiles using a textile shaper with a heater and die to transform flat sections into non-flat shapes, such as round or elliptical ends, by heating and shaping the textile through a die.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional textile manufacturing machines are used, then textile production is achieved, but the machines are expensive and have slow production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional complex mechanical textile forming machines with a simplified system consisting of a heater and a die. The heater softens the polymer material and the die shapes it, eliminating the need for complicated traditional textile manufacturing equipment while achieving faster production rates and lower costs.
2Strength
If flat cross-sectional shape is used for sutures, then stress distribution is improved, but integration with suture passer technology becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cross-sectional shapes to different portions of the suture. The main body of the suture maintains a flat cross-sectional shape for optimal stress distribution, while the ends are formed with round or elliptical shapes for compatibility with suture passer technology. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stress distribution and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cross-sectional shapes are formed in textile, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the textile into different segments along its length, with each segment receiving a different cross-sectional shape treatment. The main body segments remain flat while end segments are rounded. This segmentation allows multiple shapes to be created using a simple sequential process of heating and die-forming, avoiding complex manufacturing while achieving functional versatility.
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
Enables efficient production of sutures with varied cross-sectional shapes, improving stress distribution and ease of use with suture passer technology, while maintaining textile integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The textile shaper can have a heater... When the textile is in the heater, the textile can have the textile first cross-sectional shape... When the segment third portion is in the heater, the segment third portion can be heatable from the first temperature to the second temperature
Implementation Method 2
The textile shaper can have a die... When the textile is in the die, the textile can have the textile second cross-sectional shape... the die can change one or more portions of the textile from a textile first cross-sectional shape to one or multiple other cross-sectional shapes
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for changing cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes of flat braided sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The flat braided sutures can have a textile first cross-sectional shape that can be changed to a textile second cross-sectional shape. The systems can have a heater and a die. The flat braided sutures can be movable through the heater and the die. When the flat braided sutures are in the heater, the flat braided sutures can be heatable from a textile first temperature to a textile second temperature greater than the textile first temperature. When the flat braided sutures are at the textile second temperature, the textile first cross-sectional shape can be changeable to the textile second cross-sectional shape.