Microstructured Soft Tissue Graft Self-Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable devices for soft tissue repair often suffer from migration issues due to lack of adhesive properties, requiring mechanical fixation methods that cause tissue trauma and increase surgical complexity.
Innovation Solution
A soft tissue repair fabric with an interwoven absorbable matrix and protruding fibers, featuring a microstructured surface that utilizes capillary action or Wenzel-Cassie interfaces to create adhesive forces with the target tissue surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical fixation methods (sutures or tacks) are used to attach prosthetics to tissue, then the device is securely fixed to the target location, but tissue trauma occurs and post-surgery adhesions are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fixation systems (sutures, tacks, staples) with a biochemical adhesive system. The prosthetic surface is modified with adhesive molecules (such as fibrinogen, fibronectin, or other bioadhesive compounds) that chemically bond to tissue proteins, creating secure attachment without mechanical penetration or trauma to the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the prosthetic by modifying its chemical composition and surface energy characteristics. Adhesive coatings or layers are applied to the prosthetic surface, altering its physical-chemical parameters to enable direct bonding with tissue, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical fixation methods that cause trauma.
2Reliability
If mechanical fixation methods are used to secure the prosthetic, then the device remains stable, but the surgical procedure time is considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive properties are incorporated into the prosthetic design during manufacturing, before the surgical procedure. The adhesive coating or layer is pre-applied to the prosthetic surface, so that during surgery, the device can be immediately positioned and bonded to tissue without requiring additional time for separate fixation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing complex mechanical fixation procedures with a simple adhesive bonding process, the surgical time is significantly reduced. The adhesive system allows for rapid positioning and secure attachment of the prosthetic without the time-consuming steps of threading sutures, inserting tacks, or performing other mechanical fixation operations.
3Device complexity
If the prosthetic has no adhesive properties, then the structure can be simpler, but the device is likely to move between initial positioning and fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adhesive properties to specific localized regions of the prosthetic surface rather than requiring the entire structure to be complex. The adhesive coating or layer is applied only to the portions of the prosthetic that contact tissue, maintaining overall structural simplicity while providing targeted adhesion for positional stability.
4Reliability
If adhesive components are added to soft tissue repair fabric, then adhesive properties are provided, but the mass and rigidity of the implantable fabric increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film adhesive coatings or monolayer adhesive structures on the prosthetic surface. These ultra-thin adhesive layers provide sufficient bonding capability while contributing minimally to the overall mass of the implantable fabric, thus maintaining the lightweight characteristic of the original material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where a thin adhesive layer is combined with the base fabric material. This composite approach allows the adhesive component to provide bonding functionality while the majority of the mass remains the lightweight base fabric, optimizing the balance between adhesive properties and overall weight.
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 microstructured surface enables self-adhesion to tissue without mechanical fixation, reducing tissue trauma, improving surgical efficiency, and preventing post-surgical complications like adhesions.
Implementation Method 1
A self-adherent aspect of the present disclosure may be described through capillary action
Implementation Method 2
A self-adherent aspect of the present disclosure may be described through capillary action or may be through the establishment of a Wenzel-Cassie interface between the implantable fabric and the target tissue surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure comprises micropatterned fabric, meshes, textiles, and implantable devices which may include having one substrate including a mesh, a second substrate having a microstructured surface, and a fibrous layer disposed therebetween. The fibrous layer comprises a plurality of randomly oriented fibers. The devices having the microstructured surface may include a plurality of first level microfeatures and a plurality of second level microfeatures wherein the plurality of second level microfeatures are disposed hierarchically the first level microfeatures. Also disclosed are methods for making such micropatterned fabric, meshes, textiles, and implantable devices