Tissue Approximation Device With Adhesive Anchoring And Ratchet Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue approximation devices require manual securing to maintain wound approximation during topical skin closure, which can lead to eversion of wound edges and occupy the physician's hand, making it inconvenient for applying and curing adhesives or staples.
Innovation Solution
A tissue approximation device with elongate arms, adhesive pads for anchoring, and a ratchet mechanism to lock the arms in place, allowing for secure wound approximation without manual securing, ensuring minimal eversion and freeing the physician's hand for other tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tissue approximation forceps with grip members is used to approximate wound edges, then the wound edges can be held together without eversion, but the physician must manually secure the device by applying continuous perpendicular force to the skin tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue approximation device uses adhesive pads that adhere to the skin tissue to maintain approximation automatically without requiring the physician to apply continuous force. The device serves itself by using the adhesive property of the pads to hold the wound edges together, freeing the physician's hand while maintaining reliable approximation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive pads act as an intermediary between the forceps and the skin tissue. Instead of the physician's hand directly applying force to hold the approximation, the adhesive pads mediate this function by bonding to the skin and maintaining the approximate position, thereby transferring the securing function from manual force to adhesive bonding.
2Ease of operation
If a ratchet mechanism is added to lock the forceps handles together, then the device can maintain approximation without manual securing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the forceps for approximation, the adhesive pads for securing, and the ratchet mechanism for locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving the desired effect of hands-free operation with controlled complexity distribution.
3Extent of automation
If adhesive pads are added to anchor the device to the skin, then manual securing is no longer required, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive pads are merged with the forceps structure, with each pad integrated onto the distal end of a tong. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components, simplifies assembly, and makes the device more manufacturable while achieving automatic securing through the adhesive property of the pads.
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 device effectively maintains wound approximation without substantial eversion, allowing for efficient application and curing of topical skin adhesives or staples, ensuring secure closure while keeping the physician's hand free.
Implementation Method 1
adhesive pads to anchor the tissue approximation device to the skin
Implementation Method 2
locking means to lock the two elongate arms in place relative to each other
Implementation Method 3
the projections on the grip surfaces are urged into and against the skin tissue to approximate the wound and frictionally hold the engaged skin tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue approximation device comprising two elongate arms, an attachment means to secure the elongate arms to each other, adhesive pads on at least a portion of the elongate arms to anchor the tissue approximation device to the skin, and a locking means to lock the elongate arms in place relative to each other.