Tissue Anchor Interference Fit for Seroma-Free Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for approximating tissue planes during surgery often result in seroma formation due to dead spaces between tissue planes, which increases the risk of infection and are time-consuming and inefficient, particularly with traditional suture quilting and progressive tension suturing techniques.

Innovation Solution

A wound closure assembly featuring a tissue anchor with a hollow body and flexible spaced tips that form an interference fit with an insertion tool, allowing for easy penetration and secure attachment, along with a filamentary element and slip knot for efficient tissue approximation, enabling quick and secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional suture quilting or progressive tension suturing techniques are used to approximate tissue planes, then tissue approximation is achieved, but the procedure becomes very time-consuming and intricate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue approximation effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the insertion tool delivers both the tissue anchor and the filamentary element in one operation, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate suturing steps into a single rapid deployment action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue anchor is pre-loaded onto the insertion tool with the filamentary element already in place, allowing the surgeon to deploy the complete approximation system in a single motion without requiring sequential placement of multiple individual sutures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional suture techniques are used to close tissue planes, then tissue approximation is achieved, but dead spaces remain between tissue planes leading to seroma formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue plane reunitingVSAvoidseroma formation and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue anchor features a localized expanded body portion that creates a wide distribution surface within the tissue, providing focused compression at the anchor site while maintaining approximation along the entire filamentary element length, thereby eliminating dead spaces more effectively than traditional sutures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple individual sutures are placed progressively along tissue planes to minimize seroma, then seroma formation is reduced, but the procedure becomes intricate and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseroma formationVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple sequential sutures into a single continuous filamentary element that can be deployed in one operation, achieving the same seroma prevention effect without requiring multiple separate suturing actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue anchor design replicates the compression effect of multiple quilting sutures through its expanded body geometry, providing equivalent seroma prevention functionality with a single device rather than multiple individual sutures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If tissue fixation methods like suture quilting are used, then tissue approximation is improved, but accessibility and tension control become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue fixation securityVSAvoidaccessibility and tension control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion tool serves as an intermediary device that precisely delivers the tissue anchor to the target location and controls the tensioning process through its mechanical design, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually manipulate multiple sutures and providing superior control over placement and tension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11389157B2Wound closure assemblies and methods for approximating tissue

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 MENTOR WORLDWIDE LLC

AI summary

A wound closure assembly includes an insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal section, such as a curved distal section, having a penetrating tip and first and second notches that are formed on opposite sides of the distal section. The assembly includes a tissue anchor having a hollow body and an insertion tool channel extending through the hollow body. First and second spaced tips project distally from the distal end of the hollow body and oppose one another on opposite sides of the insertion tool channel. The distal section of the insertion tool is inserted into the insertion tool channel of the tissue anchor so that the penetrating tip is distal to the first and second spaced tips, with the first and second spaced tips nested within the first and second notches for generating a releasable interference fit between the tissue anchor and the insertion tool.