Self-Retaining Sutures with Grasp Elements for Emergency Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sutures require knot tying, which is time-consuming, prone to complications such as spitting, infection, bulk, slippage, and irritation, and increases operative time and costs, especially in emergency and suboptimal surgical conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of emergency self-retaining sutures with bidirectional, unidirectional, and multidirectional designs featuring grasp engagement elements and tissue retainers that allow for secure wound closure without knots, facilitating rapid deployment and easy removal, and marked configurations for easy identification under challenging conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sutures are used with knot tying, then wound closure can be achieved, but operative time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot-tying step from the suture procedure by incorporating self-retaining features (barbs, hooks, or interlocking mechanisms) directly into the suture material or needle assembly, allowing the suture to secure itself without requiring external knot manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The suture system performs its own securing function through self-retaining mechanisms that automatically anchor the suture in place upon deployment, eliminating the need for separate knot-tying actions by the surgeon
2Reliability
If conventional sutures with knots are used, then wound closure is achieved, but complications such as spitting, infection, bulk, slippage, and irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the knot component from the suture system by replacing it with alternative self-retaining mechanisms such as barbs, hooks, or interlocking features that secure the suture without creating the bulk and irritation associated with traditional knots
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of suture material protruding or slipping into a beneficial self-retaining mechanism where barbs or hooks intentionally engage tissue to prevent slippage and maintain secure anchorage without the harmful effects of knots
3Productivity
If self-retaining sutures are used, then operative time is reduced and complications are minimized, but the suture must be easily removable in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The suture system is divided into distinct functional segments: a deployment portion with self-retaining features for secure anchorage, and a separate graspable portion (such as a loop or tab) that provides a clear access point for removal without affecting the secured wound
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary graspable element (loop, tab, or handle) that mediates between the self-retaining suture portion embedded in tissue and the surgeon's tools, allowing easy grasping and removal of the suture without directly manipulating the embedded retention features
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable self-retaining suture system and methods for use thereof in emergency situations. The system comprises one or more self-retaining suture segments and a grasp engagement element. The system may be used for temporary wound closure in a trauma victim, and may be easily removed upon the availability of proper medical care to the victim.