Tissue Bridge Strut Structure for Wound Tension Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wound closure methods fail to adequately control wound tension, leading to excess scar formation, discoloration, and poor appearance during the healing process.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a flexible web and struts that can be configured to apply force on tissue, allowing for reconfiguration between extended and retracted states to manage tension and promote wound healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wound closure methods are used, then wound closure is achieved, but wound tension is not adequately controlled leading to excess scar formation
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic structure with movable struts that can transition between extended and retracted configurations. This allows the device to actively adjust and maintain optimal tension reduction forces on the wound throughout the healing process, rather than providing static compression. The dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to adapt to changing wound characteristics and tissue recovery stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into multiple functional segments including a body portion, multiple struts, and a flexible web. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions: the body provides structural support, the struts provide adjustable mechanical force, and the flexible web distributes tension reduction forces across the wound surface. The segmented design enables independent optimization of each component.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If force modulating tissue bridges are used to reduce tension, then scar appearance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes a flexible web as a thin film component that spans across the wound and connects to the struts. This flexible web efficiently distributes the tension reduction forces across the wound surface while maintaining a low-profile structure. The thin film approach provides effective force distribution without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates elastic elements that provide automatic tension reduction through elastic recovery forces. Once the device is applied and the struts are positioned, the elastic elements self-generate the necessary compression forces without requiring active control mechanisms, power sources, or complex actuation systems. This self-service capability reduces device complexity while maintaining effective tension control.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for at least partially covering and applying force on tissue includes a body having a spanning structure and struts respectively connected to lateral portions of the spanning structure. Inner ends of the struts extend into an area over which the medial portion of the spanning structure extends. The medical device is reconfigurable between extended and retracted configurations. The inner ends of the struts are closer to one another in the retracted configuration than in the extended configuration. The inner ends of the struts are closer to the medial portion of the spanning structure in the retracted configuration than in the extended configuration. Each strut includes an engagement zone configured to engage and apply force on the tissue, at least while the medical device is in the retracted configuration. A web can be connected to the struts and span between the inner ends of the struts.