Triangular Cross-Section Barbed Suture for Orthopedic Holding Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barbed monofilament sutures face issues with stress concentration points caused by slits or cuts, leading to potential failure under significant load, particularly in orthopedic applications, where barbs may peel away from the suture shaft, resulting in catastrophic failure.
Innovation Solution
A barbed monofilament with a substantially triangular primary cross-section and staggered barbs extending inwardly from the triangle's points, formed using materials like polyolefins, polyamides, or absorbable polymers, with specific dimensions and angles to enhance holding strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barbs are formed by making cuts or slits in the suture, then the suture can prevent slippage within tissue, but the slits act as stress concentration points causing barb failure under significant load
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is segmented into multiple barbs distributed along its length, with each barb being a discrete cutting element. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple barbs rather than concentrating stress at a single location, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining the ability to prevent slippage.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbs are positioned at specific locations along the suture shaft, with varying depths and orientations optimized for local tissue engagement. This local quality approach ensures that each barb performs its function effectively while the overall suture structure maintains its tensile strength through strategic placement rather than uniform distribution.
2Reliability
If barbs extend deeper into the suture shaft, then the barb grip on tissue improves, but the stress concentration effect increases and barb stripping becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The depth of each barb is carefully controlled as a critical parameter, extending only a predetermined distance from the suture surface. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient tissue engagement for holding strength while limiting the stress concentration effect that would occur with deeper extensions, thereby preventing barb stripping.
3Strength
If the suture cross-section is circular, then manufacturing is simpler, but the triangular cross-section provides superior tensile and holding strength
Solution Approach 1:
The suture employs an asymmetric triangular cross-section rather than a symmetric circular one. This asymmetric geometry provides superior tensile strength and holding strength by creating a more efficient stress distribution pattern, while the manufacturing process remains feasible through standard extrusion techniques adapted for triangular profiles.
Data Source
AI summary
A barbed monofilament and a method for making the same is provided. The barbed monofilament has a substantially triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of said triangle, and further has a plurality of barbs formed therein. Successive barbs are staggered around the periphery of the monofilament, and extend inwardly into the monofilament to a predetermined depth from the first, second and third points respectively.