Suture Locking Device for Knotless Wound Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound closure methods, particularly with sutures, face challenges such as the need for knot tying, which is time-consuming, prone to complications like spitting, infection, bulk foreign body irritation, and increased risk of dehiscence, especially when closing tubular tissues like blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
The STITCHLOCK device, a suture locking system with a geometrical body featuring apertures and grooves that securely attach the suture without the need for knot tying, using a combination of mechanical and sometimes chemical attachment methods to ensure the suture remains in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knot tying is used to secure sutures, then the suture can be reliably anchored, but the process is time-consuming and requires considerable dexterity and training
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the knot-tying function from the suture application process by introducing a separate locking device that mechanically secures the suture without requiring traditional knot manipulation. The locking device with its aperture and grooves provides a dedicated structure for suture retention, separating the anchoring function from the suturing action itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device serves as an intermediary element between the suture and the tissue being sutured. Rather than directly tying the suture to itself or to the tissue, the device mediates the anchoring process by providing a mechanical interface (aperture and grooves) that secures the suture in place through friction and geometric constraints.
2Reliability
If traditional knot tying is used to secure sutures, then the suture can be anchored, but complications such as spitting, infection, and bulk foreign body irritation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic knot structure from the suture system by using a locking device with an aperture and grooves that secures the suture through friction and geometry rather than through knot interstices. This extraction of the knot eliminates the nidus for infection and the source of spitting complications while maintaining secure anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device concentrates the anchoring function in a localized structure with specific geometric features (aperture size, groove depth and shape) that are optimized to secure the suture without creating the diffuse problematic structures associated with traditional knots. The local quality of the locking interface provides secure retention while minimizing harmful effects.
3Reliability
If interrupted sutures are used to allow partial wound repair, then infection risk is reduced, but repeated knot tying is required which increases time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the repetitive knot-tying operation from the interrupted suture process by using locking devices that can be quickly applied to each suture segment. Each interruption point requires simple placement of a locking device rather than skilled knot manipulation, reducing the procedural complexity while maintaining the ability to leave individual sutures intact for partial wound repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device provides self-retaining functionality that eliminates the need for continuous manual intervention to maintain suture security. Once the locking device is positioned with its aperture and grooves engaging the suture, it automatically maintains the anchoring without requiring further manipulation or adjustment, enabling efficient interrupted suturing.
4Productivity
If barbed sutures or self-retaining sutures are used to eliminate knot tying, then time is reduced, but the suture may form circular constriction around tubular tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device with its aperture and grooves serves as an intermediary that secures the suture without requiring the suture to form constrictive loops or knots. The device provides the mechanical retention function, allowing the suture to remain as a simple linear element that passes through tissue without creating circumferential constriction that would restrict tubular tissue movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the loop-forming and knot-tying actions from the suture application process. By using a locking device with an aperture and grooves that secures the suture in a linear configuration, the harmful circular constriction is eliminated while maintaining secure anchoring and enabling rapid application.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are devices for locking a suture in place on a wound without the need of tying a knot. The device has a substantially rectangular or circular shape with at least one aperture therethrough and at least one groove disposed across the device and connecting with the at least one aperture. The shape, dimensions and/or polymer content of the groove and the roughened inner surface or the teeth or flexible fingers disposed on the side surfaces of the grooves enables securement or binding of the suture. The devices may have secondary features that further tighten the suture.