Tapered Sternal Suture Assembly for Reduced Tissue Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical suture assemblies for closing the sternum during thoracic surgery cause excessive bleeding due to the difference in diameters between the needle and wire, leading to enlarged tissue openings and further bleeding during closure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical suture assembly with a needle portion and a wire portion where the wire diameter is greater than the needle diameter, featuring a tapered distal tip and transitions to minimize tissue damage and facilitate easier handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle diameter is larger than the wire diameter, then the needle can easily penetrate the tissue, but the resulting openings are enlarged causing excessive bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the wire diameter greater than the needle diameter, which is a reversal of the conventional design. This parameter change allows the wire to better seal the tissue openings while the needle maintains its penetration capability, thus resolving the contradiction between easy penetration and minimizing bleeding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the wire diameter is increased to reduce bleeding, then tissue sealing is improved, but the wire becomes harder to manipulate and twist for closure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the wire with varying diameters along its length - a larger diameter portion for tissue sealing and a smaller diameter portion for easy manipulation and twisting. This local differentiation allows the wire to simultaneously achieve both bleeding control and ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle and wire diameters are made equal, then bleeding is minimized, but the needle becomes harder to advance through the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional parameter relationship by making the wire diameter greater than the needle diameter. This parameter change allows the needle to remain sharp and easy to penetrate while the larger wire provides better tissue sealing, resolving the contradiction between penetration ease and bleeding minimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical suture assemblies, and methods of their use, are disclosed having configurations suitable for closure of biological tissue, including the bony tissue of the sternum. The surgical suture assemblies described or contemplated herein have physical characteristics that help to mitigate undesirable issues, such as bleeding.