Purse-String Sutures With Protective Pads for Tether-Safe Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional purse-string sutures used to close tissue openings in heart surgeries can cause damage to tethers extending through the opening, leading to breakage and undesired folding of tissue.

Innovation Solution

The use of purse-string sutures coupled to multiple pads, with corresponding suture portions positioned over the pads to create safe zones that minimize contact with tethers, reducing damage and ensuring secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional purse-string sutures are used to close tissue openings, then the openings can be sealed, but the tethers extending through the opening can be damaged or cause undesired folding of tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to tethers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Pads are introduced as intermediary elements between the suture and the tissue/tethers. The pads distribute the compressive force of the suture over a larger area, acting as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the suture and the tethers, thereby reducing damage to the tethers while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pads create localized zones of protection where the tissue and tethers are shielded from the compressive forces of the suture. By concentrating the protective function at specific locations (under the pads), the design allows the suture to exert force in areas that do not compromise the tethers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If purse-string sutures are tightened to seal openings, then closure is achieved, but tissue folding and potential tether damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure securityVSAvoidtissue structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pads are positioned in advance to provide cushioning protection before the suture is tightened. This pre-positioned cushioning prevents the suture from directly compressing and folding the tissue, maintaining tissue structure integrity while still achieving secure closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If suture force is increased to ensure secure closure, then sealing is improved, but damage to surrounding tissue and tethers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The introduction of pads changes the pressure distribution parameter from concentrated to distributed. This allows the suture to exert higher total force for secure closure while the pressure is spread over a larger area through the pads, preventing localized tissue damage and tether damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250213244A1Purse-string sutures

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

A method of suturing an opening in a target tissue can comprise stitching a first suture to a first pad, stitching the first pad to a first tissue area adjacent to the opening in the target tissue and stitching a second suture to the first pad. The method can include forming a first purse-string suture, using the first suture, along a first path in the target tissue around the opening using the first suture, and forming a second purse-string suture, using the second suture, along a second path in the target tissue surrounding the first purse-string suture.