Indirect Needle Attachment for Macroporous Mesh Sutures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sutures with a single-point cross-sectional profile cannot effectively distribute force, leading to stress concentration and increased likelihood of tissue damage during healing, while macroporous mesh sutures require larger needles that cause unnecessary tissue trauma during attachment.
Innovation Solution
A medical device and method for indirectly attaching a macroporous mesh suture to a standard-sized surgical needle using an intervening segment that tapers the suture to a manageable size for insertion, allowing for secure attachment without causing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If macroporous mesh sutures are directly attached to standard-sized needles, then tissue trauma is reduced, but attachment security is compromised due to size mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
A tapered adapter component serves as an intermediary element between the macroporous mesh suture and the standard-sized needle. The adapter has a first end with a larger diameter that interfaces with the mesh suture and a second end with a smaller diameter that interfaces with the needle, enabling secure attachment while maintaining the benefits of using a standard-sized needle for minimal tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter component features a tapered geometry where the diameter transitions from a larger first end to a smaller second end. This parameter change in diameter allows the adapter to bridge the size mismatch between the macroporous mesh suture and the standard-sized needle, providing both secure attachment and compatibility with minimally invasive needle delivery.
2Ease of operation
If conventional single-point cross-sectional sutures are used, then ease of use is improved due to radial symmetry, but force distribution is worsened leading to stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct transitions from a conventional symmetric single-point cross-section to an asymmetric macroporous mesh structure. This asymmetric mesh configuration allows for superior force distribution across multiple points and areas, eliminating the stress concentration that occurs at the leading edge of conventional circular sutures while still maintaining ease of use through the adapter assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture design evolves from a one-dimensional line (conventional suture) to a two-dimensional macroporous mesh structure. This dimensional change from a linear construct to a planar mesh allows forces to be distributed across a broader area and multiple anchor points, significantly reducing stress concentration while maintaining tissue apposition.
3Reliability
If macroporous mesh sutures are used, then force distribution is improved preventing pull-through, but device complexity increases requiring specialized attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter component serves multiple functions: it provides the tapered transition for size reduction, creates the mechanical interface for secure attachment to the needle, and maintains the structural integrity of the macroporous mesh suture. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system by consolidating several requirements into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct components: the macroporous mesh suture, the tapered adapter, and the standard-sized needle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, balancing the benefits of macroporous force distribution with the simplicity of standard needle delivery.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical device includes a surgical needle, an elongated suture, and an intervening segment. The elongated suture has a first end proximate to the needle and a second end located away from the needle. The elongated suture also includes a plurality of fibers defining a mesh wall between the first and second ends. A plurality of pores extend through the mesh wall, at least some which are in the macroporous size range of greater than 200 microns for facilitating tissue integration when introduced into a body. The intervening segment is disposed between and connected to either or both ends of the elongated suture and the needle. The intervening segment includes one or more fibers of the plurality of fibers and has a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the mesh wall such that the intervening segment facilitates indirect attachment of the elongated macroporous mesh suture to the needle.