Background

Surgical sutures, commonly referred to as stitches, are medical devices used to close tissue together and are generally applied by using a needle attached to a thread. Given the numerous and diverse set of procedures surgeons perform, no one type of suture is used ubiquitously. A relatively new type, barbed sutures, have recently emerged as an alternative to standard sutures for their superior wound healing characteristics. Unlike conventional sutures, which are smooth and require the use of knots to wound closures, barbed sutures have barbs which allow for better anchoring, even distribution of tension throughout the wound, reduction in operating time, and elimination of knots to tie the sutures.

Barbed sutures have been frequently used in plastic surgery, and based on the 2020 American Society Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual report, 23 million plastic surgeries performed yearly. Moreover they have also gained traction for use in obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and other fields. Despite their increasing popularity, low production of barbed sutures has limited their commercial use due to their mechanical preparation and technical difficulties involved. Thus, a critical need exists to improve the manufacturing of barbed sutures.

Technology Overview

Researchers at NC State have developed a novel method for the fabrication of barbed sutures. Currently, barbed sutures are prepared by cutting monofilaments through a series of flat blades. This method of mechanical barbing is a time consuming process, and alteration to blade parameters requires skill and effort; therefore, their commercial use has stifled due to low production.

For the first time, a laser source is used to develop different barb geometries, mechanical and anchoring properties. The advantage of this technology is that the barb geometry (shape and size) can be altered to meet the needs of different tissue environments. Importantly, with a use of laser source, the production of these barbed sutures would be higher since the process can be automated.

Benefits

Production can be automated
Barb geometry can be altered to meet the needs of different tissue environments

Applications

Surgical procedures

Opportunity

NC State University is seeking an industry partner to license and commercialize the technology

Laser Assisted Manufacturing of Barbed Sutures

Seeking