Resorbable Scaffold with Channels for Uniform Adhesive Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for joining tissue layers using surgical adhesives face issues with non-uniform adhesive distribution, leading to variability in thickness and potential tissue separation, resulting in slower healing and necrosis.
Innovation Solution
A resorbable scaffold with channels and passages is used to deliver a polymerizable adhesive uniformly to discrete points between tissue layers, allowing direct contact and promoting faster healing while preventing tissue separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid adhesive is dispensed directly on tissue layers using a dispenser, then the application process is simple, but the adhesive distribution is non-uniform resulting in variability of thickness
Solution Approach 1:
A scaffold acts as an intermediary device between the adhesive and the tissue layers. The scaffold contains channels that guide and distribute the adhesive uniformly across the tissue surface, eliminating the non-uniform distribution problem while maintaining ease of application through a single-step process.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold utilizes a porous structure with controlled channels and pores to regulate adhesive flow. This porous architecture ensures uniform adhesive distribution by controlling the flow paths and release points, achieving consistent thickness across the adhesive layer.
2Reliability
If adhesive is applied as a continuous layer, then complete coverage is achieved, but layers of tissue separate resulting in slower healing and potentially necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application is segmented into discrete distribution points through the scaffold's channel network. Instead of a continuous adhesive layer, the scaffold delivers adhesive at multiple controlled locations, ensuring tissue layers remain in contact while preventing separation. This segmented approach maintains reliability of adhesion while eliminating the harmful separation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold provides localized adhesive delivery at specific channels and pores rather than uniform continuous coverage. This local quality approach ensures adhesive is present exactly where needed to bond tissue layers, preventing separation at critical interfaces while avoiding excessive adhesive that could cause necrosis.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive thickness varies, then application is easier, but healing is slower and necrosis may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold serves as a mediator that decouples the simplicity of application from the precision of thickness control. The operator simply applies adhesive to the scaffold, and the scaffold's structured channels automatically ensure uniform thickness distribution, achieving both ease of operation and reliable healing outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold controls the physical parameters of adhesive delivery, including flow rate, distribution pattern, and thickness. By changing these parameters through its channel architecture, the scaffold ensures optimal adhesive thickness for healing while maintaining ease of application through controlled delivery mechanisms.
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 scaffold ensures uniform adhesive distribution at discrete fixation points, facilitating direct tissue contact and enhancing healing by preventing tissue separation and necrosis, with the scaffold eventually resorbing to leave stable adhesive connections.
Implementation Method 1
a polymerizable adhesive uniformly to discrete points between tissue layers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A scaffold for joining two layers of tissue, comprises a substantially flat and flexible body having a top surface, a bottom surface and sidewalls; at least one channel within the body starting at an injection port; a plurality of first passages on the top surface and a plurality of second passages on the bottom surface, said passages in fluid communication with the channel; a plurality of third passages penetrating the body from the top surface to the bottom surface, said plurality of third passages not in fluid communication with the channel.