Tissue Closing Apparatus with Biasing Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound closure methods, such as adhesive plasters, stitches, and skin anchors, face issues like limited effectiveness in preventing wound reopening, discomfort, infection risk, and localized tissue stress, which can be problematic especially for major wounds or weakened tissue areas.
Innovation Solution
A tissue closure apparatus using flexible arms coupled to the tissue surface with a biasing mechanism that applies a closing force by straightening the arms, distributing tension evenly and allowing for controlled opening and closing of the wound, thereby reducing irritation and promoting airflow and healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stitches or sutures are used to close tissue openings, then the wound edges are drawn together effectively and the wound is prevented from reopening, but the forces on the tissue are localised which can cause wound dehiscence or tissue rupture in weakened tissue areas
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently apply force to different areas of the wound. This segmentation distributes the closing force across multiple points rather than concentrating it at a single location, reducing localised tissue stress while maintaining effective wound closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member extends beyond the wound boundaries in lateral dimensions, allowing forces to be applied to healthier tissue surrounding the wound. This dimensional extension distributes the mechanical load across a larger area, preventing force concentration at the vulnerable wound edges while still achieving effective closure.
2Reliability
If a closing member extends across the wound opening to draw edges together, then the wound is closed effectively, but this causes discomfort, irritation, and hinders access to the wound
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member is positioned and configured to apply force to tissue surrounding the wound rather than directly across the wound opening. This extraction of the closing action from the wound bed itself eliminates direct interference with the wound, preventing irritation and allowing access while maintaining closure effectiveness through indirect force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member acts as an intermediary mechanism that applies force to peripheral tissue to indirectly close the wound. Rather than directly spanning and interfering with the wound opening, it mediates the closing process by leveraging the elasticity and connectivity of surrounding tissue to achieve wound apposition without direct contact across the wound bed.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive plasters or bandages are used to protect the wound, then they are easy to apply, but they only provide limited protection and obstruct air flow to the wound which hampers the healing process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the passive adhesive mechanical system with an active biasing mechanism that uses elastic or spring forces to dynamically apply closing force. This mechanical substitution provides reliable wound closure and protection while allowing for controlled force application that does not obstruct airflow, combining the ease of adhesive application with the effectiveness of active closure mechanisms.
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 apparatus provides a simple, reliable, and versatile solution for wound closure that can be applied by anyone, distributing closing forces evenly to prevent wound reopening, reduce irritation, and promote healing, while allowing for easy inspection and medication application.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus (100) includes first and second resilient arms (111, 112)... biasing the mid-portions towards each other... biasing mechanism that applies a closing force by straightening the arms
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
Apparatus for opening or closing a tissue opening in a biological subject, the apparatus including at least two flexible arms coupled to a tissue surface in use, each arm being curved outwardly in a mid-portion to accommodate a tissue opening therebetween and a biasing mechanism that selectively biases opposing ends of each arm to thereby at least one of bias mid-portions of the arms apart to assist in at least partially opening the tissue opening; and bias mid-portions of the arms towards each other to assist in at least partially closing the tissue opening.