Technologies for fiber nanotechnology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sutures do not aid in wound healing and applying electric fields to wounds to disrupt bacterial films is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A fiber suture with a core-cladding structure that generates an electric field through electrochemical interaction between zinc and silver cores, or with an applied voltage, to disrupt bacterial biofilms and facilitate wound healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sutures are used to keep wounds closed, then the wound closure function is achieved, but the sutures do not aid in wound healing and cannot disrupt bacterial films
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single suture fiber: mechanical wound closure, electric field generation through electrochemical interaction between zinc and silver cores, and potential drug delivery through pneumatic channels. This integration allows the suture to simultaneously close the wound and actively disrupt bacterial films via generated electric fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical sutures with an electrochemical system. The zinc and silver cores generate electric fields through electrochemical interaction, substituting mechanical action with electrical fields that actively disrupt bacterial films while maintaining wound closure function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electric fields are applied to wounds to disrupt bacterial films, then bacterial film disruption is achieved, but applying a suitable electric field to a wound is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The suture fiber generates its own electric field through the electrochemical interaction between the zinc and silver cores. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources or complex control systems, making the electric field application simple and integrated into the suture itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electric field generation capability from external equipment and embeds it directly into the suture structure through the electrochemical cores. This removes the complexity of external electric field application systems while maintaining the therapeutic effect.
3Reliability
If a fiber with multiple cores and cladding is created to generate electric fields, then electric field generation capability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural electrochemical properties of zinc and silver metals as cores. By changing the material parameters to use these specific metals with known electrochemical potentials, the system generates electric fields through their inherent chemical properties rather than requiring complex external power systems, simplifying the overall manufacturing approach.
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 fiber suture effectively disrupts bacterial biofilms, enhancing wound healing by applying an electric field, and can deliver drugs or samples through pneumatic or fluidic channels.
Implementation Method 1
the first core and the second core generate an electric field in the environment surrounding the fiber based on an electrochemical interaction between the first core and the second core
Implementation Method 2
the pneumatic or fluidic channel has a drug therein to be delivered to a patient
Implementation Method 3
the biocompatible coating surrounding the biocompatible polymer cladding, the biocompatible coating configured to dissolve in a wound environment
Implementation Method 4
heating the fiber to break up the sacrificial core by capillary action into a plurality of balls
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for fibers with nanotechnology is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a preform is 3D printed with one or more sacrificial cores and one or more hollow channels. The preform is drawn into a fiber, and one or more metal core(s) is inserted into the hollow channel during the fiber draw. The fiber is then heated, breaking up the sacrificial cores into balls through capillary action. The fiber can be etched, exposing the balls made up of the sacrificial cores. The balls can be selectively etched, exposing the metal core(s) of the fiber. Additional embodiments are disclosed.