Biological Tissue Joining via Ultrasonic Protein Melting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological-tissue joining technologies face challenges in maintaining a stable joined state due to individual tissue differences, limited application sites, slow adhesive curing, and adhesive leakage, leading to insufficient joining force and excessive bonding of non-target tissues.
Innovation Solution
A biological-tissue joining apparatus that clamps tissue with pressure, melts proteins to act as an adhesive, and supplies collagen or elastin as needed, using discharge ports and control parts to ensure adequate adhesive application and prevent leakage, with features like peripheral-wall members and suction ports to manage adhesive distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ultrasonic energy is supplied to clamped biological tissue to join it, then joining is achieved, but sufficient joining force cannot be obtained due to individual differences in tissue properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biological adhesive as an intermediary substance between the tissue surfaces to be joined. The adhesive is supplied from a supply chamber through a discharge port directly onto the clamped tissue, mediating the bonding process and ensuring sufficient joining force regardless of tissue property variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the joining mechanism from relying solely on ultrasonic-induced collagen melting to a dual mechanism combining ultrasonic energy with biological adhesive application. This parameter change in the joining process enables consistent joining force across different tissue types.
2Reliability
If adhesive is applied to join tissue, then joining is achieved, but curing takes time and immediate treatment cannot be carried out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two joining mechanisms: ultrasonic energy supply and biological adhesive application. The ultrasonic energy accelerates the adhesive curing process while the adhesive provides immediate bonding, achieving both rapid treatment and stable joining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by having the ultrasonic energy supply and adhesive application occur simultaneously during the clamping process, eliminating waiting time for curing and enabling immediate treatment.
3Productivity
If adhesive is supplied repeatedly for bonding operations, then joining is achieved, but adhesive gradually cures inside the supply channel preventing sufficient adhesive application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable piston in the supply chamber that can be dynamically adjusted to push adhesive toward the discharge port. This dynamic mechanism prevents adhesive stagnation and curing in the supply channel, ensuring continuous adhesive availability for repeated bonding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by using the piston mechanism to automatically replenish and move adhesive from the supply chamber to the discharge port, preventing curing-related blockages without external intervention.
4Strength
If adhesive is applied to join tissue, then joining is achieved, but adhesive spatters and bonds non-target tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adhesive locally only at the discharge port positioned precisely at the tissue-joining site. The localized application through the discharge port prevents adhesive spattering onto surrounding non-target tissue while maintaining sufficient joining force at the target site.
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 achieves immediate and stable tissue bonding with sufficient joining force, prevents adhesive leakage, and maintains tissue elasticity, ensuring effective and precise tissue joining regardless of tissue type.
Implementation Method 1
melts protein in the clamped biological tissue by supplying energy to the biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
supplies an adhesive to the biological tissue... discharges collagen, which is used as an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
Regardless of the type of biological tissue, a sufficient joining force can be quickly obtained; the problem of an adhesive bonding biological tissue other than the target biological tissue can be prevented; and the adhesive can be prevented from becoming impossible to apply due to curing. There is provided a biological-tissue joining apparatus including an energy supplying part that clamps, with pressure, biological tissue to be joined and melts protein in the clamped biological tissue by supplying energy to the biological tissue; and an adhesive supplying part that supplies an adhesive to the biological tissue, wherein the adhesive supplying part includes a discharge port that discharges the adhesive to a contact surface of the energy supplying part in contact with the biological tissue.