Segmented Suture Packaging for On-Demand Antimicrobial Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture packaging solutions fail to maintain a prolonged shelf life while effectively preventing surgical site infections due to bacterial contamination, and incorporating antimicrobial materials directly with sutures reduces their effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A suture packaging kit design that separates the suture and antimicrobial material, using a sealed accommodation unit with a bonded portion and a connection unit to allow the antimicrobial material to be absorbed by the suture upon simple pressing, utilizing materials like halogenated hydroxy ether and triclosan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antimicrobial material is included in the suture package, then infection prevention is improved, but shelf life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidshelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The suture package is divided into separate compartments: one containing the suture and another containing the antimicrobial material. This segmentation prevents premature contact between the suture and antimicrobial material, preserving shelf life while enabling infection prevention when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suture is pre-coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has affinity for antimicrobial materials. This preliminary preparation enables rapid absorption of the antimicrobial material when contacted, ensuring effective infection prevention without requiring prolonged exposure during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If antimicrobial material is absorbed by suture before use, then infection prevention is improved, but shelf life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidshelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption process is accelerated by changing the physical parameters of the suture surface - specifically by coating it with a hydrophilic polymer. This increases the affinity for antimicrobial materials and reduces the time required for effective absorption from hours to minutes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If suture is opened immediately before surgery, then sterility is maintained, but contamination risk increases during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidbacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial material is extracted into a separate compartment from the suture. This allows the suture to be opened and used in a sterile manner while the antimicrobial material remains sealed until needed, eliminating the source of potential contamination during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophilic polymer coating on the suture acts as an intermediary that can rapidly absorb the antimicrobial material when needed. This mediator enables the suture to gain antimicrobial protection immediately before use without requiring the antimicrobial material to be present during storage, maintaining sterility while preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 kit significantly extends shelf life, conveniently allows antimicrobial absorption just before use, and effectively prevents surgical site infections by ensuring the antimicrobial material is absorbed into the suture.

Implementation Method 1

a suture which absorbs an antimicrobial material only by a simple pressing operation immediately before use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20260041421A1Antibacterial suture packaging kit

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 OH JEESOO

AI summary

An antimicrobial suture package kit provided herein includes a first accommodation unit having an internal space sealed by a bonded portion; a suture kit accommodated in the first accommodation unit; a second accommodation unit adjacent to the first accommodation unit and having an internal space sealed by the bonded portion; a liquid antimicrobial material accommodated in the second accommodation unit; a partition which partially partitions the first accommodation unit and the second accommodation unit; and an antimicrobial capsule which is accommodated in the second accommodation unit and is filled with the antimicrobial material, and the antimicrobial material is filled in the antimicrobial capsule to be accommodated separately from the suture kit and passes through a movement path formed by the partition when the second accommodation unit is pressed to rupture the antimicrobial capsule, and then flows into the suture kit, to be absorbed by the suture.