Tissue Approximation Device for Scarless Wound Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical wound closure methods, such as skin grafts and flap tissue transfers, often result in residual disfiguring scars and significant morbidity, especially for large wounds with edges that cannot be approximated without excessive tension.
Innovation Solution
A tissue approximation device and a meshing device are used to apply tension to the wound edges and release restrictive fibrous structures through percutaneous mesh expansion, creating a scaffold for natural tissue regeneration to close the wound without scars, using a device with scissors arms and rake members to grip tissue and a meshing device with needles to puncture and expand the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skin grafts or flap tissue transfers are used to close large wounds, then the wound can be closed, but residual disfiguring scars and significant morbidity result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the body's own tissue to regenerate and close the wound without external grafts or flaps. By applying tension to approximate wound edges and allowing natural tissue regeneration, the system uses the body's inherent healing capabilities to eliminate the need for donor sites and reduce scarring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of tissue by applying mechanical tension to alter tissue elasticity and promote edge approximation. This parameter change enables large wounds to be closed by transforming the tissue's mechanical properties through controlled stretching and approximation forces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wound edges are approximated without excessive tension, then the wound can be closed, but large wounds cannot be closed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary tension to approximate wound edges before the actual closure process. By pre-stretching and positioning the tissue under controlled tension, the system prepares the wound bed for tensionless closure, allowing large wounds to be closed effectively without excessive tension during the critical healing phase.
3Device complexity
If secondary intention healing is used, then no additional surgical intervention is needed, but healing takes weeks to months and scars are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive biological healing process of secondary intention with an active mechanical system that applies controlled tension to approximate wound edges. This mechanical intervention accelerates the healing process by actively bringing edges together, reducing healing time from weeks or months to a faster timeline while still avoiding complex surgical procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and devices for wound closure. In some exemplary embodiments, a tissue approximation device is provided. In some embodiments, the tissue approximation device includes a first scissors arm having a proximal end and a distal end and a second scissors arm having a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the second scissors arm is connected to the first scissors arm at a pivot point. In some embodiments, the tissue approximation device further includes a first rake member connected to the distal end of the first scissors arm via a first articulating joint. In some embodiments, the first rake member includes a plurality of hooks configured to grip tissue.