Polymerizable Adhesive Wound Closure Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for wound closure, such as sutures, staples, and adhesive bandages, face issues like trauma, cosmetic concerns, pain during removal, and limited durability, especially in moist environments, necessitating improved materials and methods for effective wound approximation and management.

Innovation Solution

A tissue bonding article comprising a flexible substrate with a polymerizable adhesive composition applied over its surface, which permeates and polymerizes to form a durable microbial barrier, reducing procedure time and pain during removal, and providing improved cosmesis and patient satisfaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sutures are used for wound closure, then adequate wound support is provided, but additional trauma to the wound occurs due to needle and suture material passing through tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound supportVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical puncture method of sutures with a chemical bonding mechanism. A polymerizable adhesive composition is applied to the wound edges and polymerizes to form a bond, eliminating the need for needles and suture material that physically penetrate and traumatize the tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of the adhesive material from liquid (monomeric form) to solid (polymerized form) through polymerization. This parameter change allows the adhesive to transition from an easily applied liquid state to a strong, durable bonding state, providing wound support without mechanical trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If sutures are used for wound closure, then adequate wound support is provided, but the procedure is time consuming and requires removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound supportVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical process of threading, tying, and removing sutures with a rapid chemical polymerization process. The adhesive composition polymerizes quickly to provide wound support, and the polymerized material can be left in place without removal, eliminating follow-up visits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If surgical staples are used for wound closure, then wound support is provided, but cosmetic results are unattractive and removal is painful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound supportVSAvoidcosmetic damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical staple system with a chemical adhesive bonding system. This eliminates the visible metal staples and associated cosmetic damage, while the polymerized adhesive provides equivalent wound support. The removal process is also eliminated, avoiding the pain associated with staple removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If adhesive bandages are used for wound closure, then superficial wounds are covered, but holding power is lost quickly in the presence of moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound coverageVSAvoidholding power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the adhesive from conventional pressure-sensitive adhesive to a polymerizable adhesive composition. This composition is applied in liquid form to ensure complete coverage and adhesion, then polymerizes to form a durable, moisture-resistant bond that maintains holding power in wet environments where conventional adhesives fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the polymerizable adhesive composition with the flexible substrate. This composite material provides both the ease of application of bandages and the durable, moisture-resistant bonding of polymers, overcoming the limitations of conventional adhesive bandages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Reliability

If polymerizable adhesive composition is applied to flexible substrate, then durable microbial barrier is formed, but additional materials and steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial barrier durabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adhesive substrate with the flexible bandage substrate into a single integrated component. The polymerizable adhesive composition is applied to and becomes part of the flexible substrate, creating a unified device that provides both structural support and durable microbial barrier properties without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution offers enhanced wound closure with a durable microbial barrier, reduced procedure time, improved cosmetic outcomes, and increased patient satisfaction by eliminating the need for follow-up visits for staple or suture removal, while maintaining wound integrity and promoting healing.

Implementation Method 1

a polymerizable adhesive composition permeated throughout said flexible or compliant material... allowing the polymerizable adhesive composition to permeate into and under the flexible or compliant substrate and polymerize to form a composite structure bonded to said tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9655622B2Adhesive-containing wound closure device and method

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 ETHICON INC

AI summary

A tissue bonding article includes a flexible material, an adhesive substance applied over at least a portion of a bottom side of the flexible material, and a polymerizable adhesive composition permeated throughout at least a portion of the flexible material.