Bilateral Tissue Fastening via Subdermal Bioabsorbable Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suturing and stapling techniques for skin closure involve puncturing the epidermis and dermis, leading to aesthetically undesirable results, potential infection, and the need for removal of non-absorbable fasteners, while subcuticular stapling methods can cause scarring and incomplete healing.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical system that approximates dermal tissue layers below the skin surface using a tissue manipulator and applicator apparatus to drive bioabsorbable fasteners through the dermal layer, positioning them below the skin surface for effective and aesthetically pleasing closure without exposing them externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suturing or stapling techniques are used to close skin openings, then effective tissue closure is achieved, but the epidermis and dermis are punctured leading to aesthetically undesirable results and potential infection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastener application from the epidermal layer and positions it exclusively in the dermal layer. The fastener is inserted through a puncture in the epidermis but is positioned and secured entirely within the dermis, separating the insertion path from the visible surface and eliminating the harmful aesthetic and infection risks while maintaining closure effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from surface-level (2D) fastening to subsurface (3D) fastening by positioning the fastener in the dermal layer beneath the epidermis. This dimensional shift places the fastening mechanism in a hidden layer, achieving both effective closure and aesthetic appearance by removing the visible puncture marks and external fastener components.
2Reliability
If non-absorbable fasteners are used for tissue closure, then effective and durable closure is achieved, but the fasteners require removal after healing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the fastener from non-absorbable to absorbable material. This parameter change allows the fastener to maintain structural integrity during the healing period and then gradually decompose and be absorbed by the body, eliminating the need for removal procedures while ensuring adequate closure durability throughout the healing process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If subcuticular stapling methods are used to avoid epidermal puncture, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but scarring and incomplete healing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a controlled, minimal puncture in the epidermis specifically for fastener insertion, while the fastener itself is positioned in the dermis where it provides secure anchoring. This localized approach allows aesthetic preservation at the surface while ensuring complete healing through proper dermal fastening, avoiding the scarring associated with subcuticular methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.