Sutureless Tissue Closure Device with Ratcheting Tie Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for closing tissue wounds, such as suturing and skin adhesives, are invasive, require specialized skills and equipment, and are costly, making them inaccessible and inconvenient for quick and effective wound closure, especially for untrained users and in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A sutureless device with flexible and expandable connections, utilizing two anchors connected by a tie strip with a ratcheting system and a rack and pinion mechanism, allowing for adjustable alignment and closure of irregular wounds without the need for local anesthetic or specialized equipment, enabling easy use by untrained individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures or staples are used to close tissue wounds, then wound edges can be mechanically brought together for proper alignment, but the method causes additional pain, increases infection risk, requires specialized skills and equipment, and is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful elements (needles, sutures, staples) from the wound closure process while retaining the essential function of bringing wound edges together. The adhesive composition provides closure without mechanical penetration, eliminating pain and infection risks associated with traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of sutures and staples with a chemical/adhesive system. The adhesive composition chemically bonds wound edges together without requiring mechanical penetration, substituting a less harmful mechanism for the traditional mechanical approach.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If local anesthetic is administered to reduce pain during wound closure, then patient comfort is improved, but the risk of adverse reactions and additional needle punctures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition is applied directly to the wound edges without requiring preliminary anesthesia. The adhesive provides both closure and comfort in a single step, eliminating the need for separate anesthetic administration and its associated risks.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional suturing methods are used, then proper wound edge approximation can be achieved, but the process requires years of training and specialized equipment that are not accessible to the general public
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition enables individuals to perform wound closure themselves without requiring specialized training or equipment. The product is designed for self-application, allowing the general public to achieve proper wound edge approximation independently.
4Loss of time
If wound closure is delayed beyond the golden period, then access to medical facilities becomes less critical, but the risk of infection increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition provides immediate wound closure that can be applied anywhere, eliminating the time loss to medical facilities. While the adhesive itself is a consumable product, it provides sufficient closure to prevent infection during the critical golden period without requiring professional medical intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A sutureless device and methods for closing a tissue opening that minimizes the labor, cost, and skill typically required is disclosed. The apparatus comprises two anchors that attach to either side of an open tissue wound. The two anchors are connected together by a tie strip; the tie strip has a plurality of teeth and a rack. As the wound edges and anchors are brought together the ratchet system on the tie strip prevents the anchors and tissue wound from reopening. To control the distance between the two anchors, a rack and pinion system and a key or a lever system is utilized. The rack is located on the tie strip and the pinion is located on the key.