Shape Memory Micropost Array for Flexible Tissue Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue adhesion methods, such as sutures, staples, and biological adhesives, face limitations in wound closure and anastomosis, including difficulty in deployment, incomplete closure, lack of flexibility, and increased stress on tissues, leading to potential wound reopening and hemorrhaging.
Innovation Solution
An array of shape memory microposts with a proximal end secured to a substrate and a tissue-penetrating distal end, which transitions from a straightened deployment state to an engaged state to mechanically capture tissue, providing a flexible and secure adhesion mechanism through various configurations such as curvature, bulging, or corkscrew shapes, activated by thermal, electrical, pH, or light energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sutures are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but tying and placing a proper knot requires a high degree of experience and manual dexterity and may be difficult for some operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual knot-tying mechanical system with a self-securing micropost array system. The microposts automatically penetrate tissue and secure the wound through their geometric configuration and material properties, eliminating the need for manual knot manipulation while maintaining secure closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The micropost array is designed to self-deploy and self-secure upon application. The microposts automatically penetrate the tissue and interlock to maintain wound closure without requiring the operator to perform additional manipulation steps, making the device self-sufficient after initial placement.
2Ease of operation
If staples are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but staples may not always completely close the wound and may not be re-adjusted after deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The micropost array employs a shape memory material that can dynamically change its configuration in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature or pH changes. This allows the microposts to adjust their penetration depth and securing force after deployment, providing adaptability that rigid staples cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical or chemical parameters (such as temperature, pH, or moisture) to trigger shape memory effects in the micropost material. This enables the microposts to modify their mechanical properties and tissue engagement characteristics after deployment, allowing for post-deployment adjustment.
3Productivity
If staples are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but staples tend to be deployed in discrete locations and may produce concentrated stress and strain points within tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The wound closure function is segmented into multiple micropost elements distributed across the wound surface. Instead of using a few discrete staples that create localized stress points, the micropost array distributes the mechanical load across numerous closely-spaced elements, reducing stress concentration while maintaining overall closure efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The micropost array provides locally optimized tissue engagement through variations in micropost geometry, spacing, and material properties across different regions of the wound. This allows the device to adapt to local tissue characteristics and distribute stress more uniformly compared to uniform staple deployment.
4Reliability
If biological adhesives are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but the presence of blood will often hinder an effectiveness of the adhesion strength between the adhesive and tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesion mechanism of biological adhesives with a mechanical interlocking system using microposts. The microposts physically penetrate and anchor into the tissue, providing mechanical retention that is not dependent on chemical bonding conditions and is therefore not hindered by the presence of blood.
5Reliability
If biological adhesives are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but biological tissue adhesives often tend to be rigid after they have cured, so as to cause stiffness at the point of contact and reduce flexibility of the wound
Solution Approach 1:
The micropost array is embedded in or associated with a flexible substrate or coating that maintains wound flexibility. Unlike rigid cured adhesives, the micropost structure combined with a flexible matrix allows the wound to move and flex naturally while maintaining secure closure, preventing stiffness and potential fracture.
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
The micropost array achieves hemostatic wound closure with flexibility, resisting external stress and maintaining bond integrity, reducing the risk of wound reopening and hemorrhaging, while allowing for adjustable and secure tissue attachment.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate supporting a plurality of substantially parallel shape memory microposts for insertion into tissue adjacent a wound or tissue modification site with activation of the shape memory properties of the microposts to deform for adherence to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An array of a plurality of shape memory material microposts have a proximal end configured to be secured to a substrate with a tissue penetrating distal end. The microposts further have a deployment state with the microposts in a substantially straightened configuration with a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface which is substantially parallel to adjacent microposts and an engaged state wherein at least a section of the microposts assume a configuration that is not substantially parallel to adjacent microposts or is not substantially straight with a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface so as to mechanically capture tissue adjacent thereto.