Laser-Cut Self-Retaining Sutures Without Knot Tying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sutures require knot tying, which is time-consuming, prone to complications such as spitting, infection, bulk, slippage, and irritation, and increases the risk of dehiscence or rupture, especially in complex or deep surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The development of laser-cut self-retaining sutures with strategically distributed retainers on the suture thread, eliminating the need for knots by anchoring the suture in place through barbs, thereby reducing tissue tension and improving wound closure precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sutures with knots are used, then wound closure can be achieved, but operative time increases and complications such as spitting, infection, bulk, slippage, and irritation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure reliabilityVSAvoidoperative time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the knot from the suture system by incorporating self-retaining barbed features directly onto the suture thread. The barbs are formed along the suture body, allowing tissue engagement without requiring a separate knot-tying step, thus removing the harmful knot element while preserving wound closure function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture is segmented into multiple functional zones with barbs distributed at different locations and orientations along the thread. This segmentation allows different portions of the suture to engage tissue at different points, providing distributed anchoring that replaces the single-point anchoring of a knot, thereby reducing operative time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional sutures with knots are used, then wound closure can be achieved, but complications such as spitting, infection, bulk, slippage, and irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure reliabilityVSAvoidknot-related complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of suture material protruding through tissue (spitting) into a benefit by designing barbs that engage tissue in a controlled manner. The barbed configuration allows the suture to anchor securely without creating the bulk and irritation associated with knots, while the self-retaining feature ensures consistent tissue engagement that prevents spitting complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If self-retaining sutures with barbs are used, then operative time is reduced and knot-related complications are eliminated, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidsuture structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical knot-tying system with a laser-based manufacturing system that directly forms barbed features on the suture thread. This substitution enables precise control of barb geometry and distribution, achieving complex self-retaining functionality through automated laser processing rather than manual knot manipulation, thereby reducing surgical complexity while enhancing manufacturing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Laser-cut self-retaining sutures streamline surgical procedures by reducing operative time, minimizing complications, and enhancing wound closure accuracy and strength, while providing a more cosmetically appealing outcome.

Implementation Method 1

directing a laser beam at the tissue retainer location on the suture thread; using the laser beam to remove a volume of material defining a slot from said suture thread

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS10952721B2Laser cutting system and methods for creating self-retaining sutures

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A laser-machining system and method is disclosed for forming retainers on a suture thread. The laser system is preferably a femtosecond laser system which is capable of creating submicron features on the suture thread while preserving strength of the suture thread. The laser-machining system enables creation of retainers and self-retaining suture systems in configurations which are difficult and/or impossible to achieve using mechanical cutting technology. The laser-machining system includes a stabilization device configured to provide contactless stabilization of the suture thread during a machining operation on the suture thread.