Shape Memory Micropost Array for Flexible Tissue Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue adhesion methods, such as sutures, staples, and biological adhesives, face limitations in wound closure and anastomosis, including the need for high manual dexterity, incomplete closure, stiffness, and potential for wound reopening due to stress.
Innovation Solution
An array of shape memory microposts with a proximal end secured to a substrate and a tissue-penetrating distal end, which can transform from a straightened deployment state to an engaged state to mechanically capture tissue, providing flexible and secure adhesion through various configurations such as curvature, bulging, or corkscrew shapes, activated by thermal, electrical, pH, or light energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sutures are used for wound closure, then tissue adhesion is achieved, but high manual dexterity and experience are required for proper deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesion device is segmented into multiple microposts arranged in an array on a substrate, allowing the complex function of tissue adhesion to be distributed across many simple, identical elements rather than requiring a single complex suture knot
Solution Approach 2:
The microposts are designed to automatically engage with tissue through their shape memory properties when activated, eliminating the need for manual knot-tying or complex deployment procedures requiring high dexterity
2Reliability
If staples are used for wound closure, then tissue adhesion is achieved, but the wound may not be completely closed and cannot be re-adjusted after deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The microposts incorporate shape memory properties that allow them to dynamically change configuration in response to activation stimuli (temperature, pH, electrical potential), enabling the adhesion device to adapt and adjust after initial deployment rather than being fixed like traditional staples
Solution Approach 2:
The microposts change their physical state or configuration when exposed to specific parameter changes in the environment (temperature increase, pH change, electrical potential), allowing post-deployment adjustment of the adhesion characteristics
3Strength
If biological adhesives are used for wound closure, then tissue adhesion is achieved, but blood presence hinders adhesion effectiveness and the cured adhesive becomes rigid causing stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate supporting the microposts is made of flexible material that allows the wound to move and flex naturally, preventing the stiffness and cracking problems associated with rigid cured adhesives while maintaining secure adhesion through the micropost array
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple materials with complementary properties: shape memory material for the microposts (providing strong mechanical engagement), flexible polymer for the substrate (providing flexibility), and potentially biocompatible coatings (resisting blood interference), creating a composite structure that overcomes the limitations of single-material adhesives
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 micropost array achieves hemostatic and flexible tissue adhesion, resisting external stress without damaging the bond, allowing for secure wound closure and anastomosis with minimal tissue damage and the ability to adjust or remove the adhesion as needed.
Implementation Method 1
An array of shape memory microposts with a proximal end secured to a substrate and a tissue-penetrating distal end, which can transform from a straightened deployment state to an engaged state to mechanically capture tissue
Implementation Method 2
activated by thermal, electrical, pH, or light energy
Implementation Method 3
activated by thermal, electrical, pH, or light energy
Implementation Method 4
activated by thermal, electrical, pH, or light energy
Implementation Method 5
activated by thermal, electrical, pH, or light energy
Data Source
AI summary
An array of a plurality of shape memory material microposts (12) have a proximal end (10) configured to be secured to a substrate (14) with a tissue penetrating distal end (18). The microposts further have a deployment state with the microposts (12) in a substantially straightened configuration with a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface which is substantially parallel to adjacent microposts and an engaged state wherein at least a section of the microposts (12′) assume a configuration that is not substantially parallel to adjacent microposts or is not substantially straight with a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface so as to mechanically capture tissue adjacent thereto.