Surgical Closure Appliance with Dynamic Force Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical incision closure devices fail to evenly align tissue edges, lack adjustability for optimal closure force, and are prone to displacement under surgical drapes, leading to suboptimal healing and increased scarring.
Innovation Solution
A surgical incision closure appliance with left and right panels featuring a tissue-adherent adhesive, a force distribution structure allowing axial expansion while limiting lateral expansion, and a closure component that adjusts to bring tissue edges closer together, minimizing scarring and resisting displacement under surgical drapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid closure device is used to securely close tissue, then closure strength is improved, but the device cannot conform to tissue movement during surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device incorporates a dynamic structure with interconnected panels that can flex and move relative to each other, allowing the device to adapt to tissue movement during surgery while maintaining secure closure. The panels are connected through flexible joints or hinges that enable controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device uses flexible panel structures that can bend and conform to tissue contours and movements. These flexible panels are made from elastomeric materials that provide both strength and compliance, allowing the device to maintain closure force while adapting to physiological movements.
2Reliability
If adhesive force is increased to prevent displacement under drape, then device stability is improved, but tissue damage or discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is divided into multiple discrete adhesive elements or panels rather than a single large adhesive surface. This segmentation distributes the adhesive force across multiple contact points, reducing the stress on any single area of tissue while collectively providing strong anchoring to prevent displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive properties are optimized locally at specific contact points with the tissue, using high-strength adhesive only where needed for anchoring, while other areas of the device have reduced or no adhesive properties to minimize tissue contact and potential damage.
3Manufacturing precision
If closure force is increased to reduce scarring, then healing quality is improved, but tissue restraint and stretching during procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device provides adjustable and dynamic closure force that can be optimized for both healing quality and procedural comfort. The force distribution mechanism allows controlled application of closure force that promotes even healing without excessive restraint, adapting to the procedural needs.
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 appliance ensures minimal tissue restraint during procedures, promotes even healing by aligning tissue edges for reduced scarring, and maintains its position under surgical drapes, providing controlled closure forces for improved wound management.
Implementation Method 1
a lower portion having a first elasticity, a middle layer coupled to and covering at least a portion of the adhesive layer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for closing a surgical incision comprises left and right base panels, a plurality of closure components, and a plurality of left and right axial supports coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components couple the left and right base panels to each other laterally and have left and right ends coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components are positioned laterally across the left and right panels, the left axial supports are disposed between pairs of left closure component ends, the right axial supports are disposed between pairs of right closure component ends, and the left and right axial supports are offset from one another such that a serpentine arrangement of consecutive closure components and axial supports is formed. The apparatus can be made of antimicrobial materials or materials impregnated with antimicrobial agents. A flexible adhesive cover can be provided over the apparatus when in use.