Fusible Suture Using Joule Heating for Knotless Tissue Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sutures require knot-tying, which is complex and invasive, especially in orthoscopic surgery, and can lead to increased surgical time and post-operative complications like untying or loosening.
Innovation Solution
A fusible suture with an elongate electrical conductor and a coating that softens and coalesces upon heating, allowing segments to form a secure bond without the need for knots, using electrical current to activate the coating and fuse the conductor segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sutures are used to join tissue portions, then the suture can be tied to secure the tissue, but the surgical process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical knot-tying system with a thermal fusion system. An electrical conductor within the suture is heated to melt and fuse the suture material, creating a secure join without requiring mechanical knot manipulation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex two-handed knot-tying operations while maintaining reliable tissue joining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the suture material through temperature control. The suture material is designed to transition from a solid state during insertion to a melted state during fusion, then re-solidify to create a permanent bond. This parameter change (temperature) enables secure tissue joining without mechanical knotting.
2Reliability
If conventional sutures are used to join tissue portions, then the suture can be tied to secure the tissue, but the surgical time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical knot-tying process with rapid thermal fusion. The electrical conductor heats the suture material quickly, fusing segments together in seconds rather than requiring multiple manual knot-tying steps. This dramatically reduces surgical time while maintaining secure tissue joining.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is pre-configured with an electrical conductor and designed to fuse at specific temperature thresholds. The fusion capability is built into the suture material itself, allowing rapid activation during surgery without requiring complex external equipment or prolonged manipulation steps.
3Ease of operation
If conventional sutures are used to join tissue portions, then the suture can be tied to secure the tissue, but the suture may become unknotted or loosen after surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature-induced phase changes to create permanent fusion bonds. The suture material melts at a specific temperature and re-solidifies to form a permanent bond that cannot unravel or loosen. This thermal processing ensures long-term stability without the risk of untying that plagues conventional knotted sutures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical knot structures with thermal fusion bonds. Instead of relying on friction and geometry to maintain tension, the suture segments are melted and fused together, creating a monolithic structure that cannot mechanically fail through untying or loosening.
4Reliability
If conventional sutures are used to join tissue portions, then the suture can be tied to secure the tissue, but the invasiveness of the surgery is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical knot-tying operations with simple thermal fusion activation. The electrical conductor can be activated through the suture needle during a single puncture, eliminating the need for external manipulation through multiple incisions. This reduces surgical invasiveness while maintaining secure tissue joining.
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 secure tissue joining with reduced surgical complexity and invasiveness, allowing single-handed use during orthoscopic procedures and minimizing post-operative complications like untying or loosening.
Implementation Method 1
The overlapped segments of the conductor are heated upon application of an electrical current to the conductor
Implementation Method 2
The coating softens when its temperature is at and above a softening temperature so that the overlapping segments of the coating coalesce
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fusible suture for joining portions of tissue. The suture includes an elongate electrical conductor. The conductor extends between opposite ends of the suture and has sufficient flexibility to permit segments of the conductor to overlap, thereby forming a loop sized for joining portions of tissue. The overlapped segments of the conductor are heated upon application of an electrical current to the conductor. The suture further includes a coating that at least partially covers the conductor and extends over at least one of the segments of the conductor. The coating softens when its temperature is at and above a softening temperature so that the overlapping segments of the coating coalesce. The softening temperature is lower than a melting temperature of the conductor. The coating returns to a non-softened state when its temperature falls below a hardening temperature, thereby forming a bond between the overlapped segments of the conductor.