SutureWeld: a novel ultrasonic implant welding technology for surgical suture holding
Lead Participant:
OSTEOWELD SURGICAL LIMITED
Abstract
OsteoWeld is a highly innovative medtech SME, whose technical expertise has enabled it to develop a degradable ultrasonic-driven suturing implant solution ('SutureWeld') that guarantees optimal suture tension and prevents knot slippage during the healing process.
One of the main challenges associated with surgical knot-tying, especially during arthroscopic surgeries, is the difficulty of tension transfer to the knot through the instrumentation, leading to ineffective knots that result in slippage or suture rupture. Many surgeons acknowledge the need for effective solutions, such as the SutureWeld, to overcome this challenge, helping them to perform effective suturing, dramatically reducing complications and therefore, reducing patient discomfort and accelerating patient recovery.
This project aims to develop the first ultrasonic-based solution for surgical suturing that avoids the need for knot-tying techniques by applying OsteoWeld's implant welding technology applied to bone-to-bone and bone-to-tendon laceration repairing procedures. OsteoWeld's proposed solution will produce an effective suturing protocol and easy-to-use instrumentation that will enable optimal suture tension to be maintained throughout the healing process with no need for implant removal surgery, as these are completely absorbed by the human body once healing has occurred.
This project will therefore enable OsteoWeld to secure an advantageous market position in line with an expected upsurge of surgical procedures. SutureWeld will allow global healthcare providers to make significant time and cost savings, while providing surgeons with a more reproducible solution for difficult surgical knot-tying concerns.
One of the main challenges associated with surgical knot-tying, especially during arthroscopic surgeries, is the difficulty of tension transfer to the knot through the instrumentation, leading to ineffective knots that result in slippage or suture rupture. Many surgeons acknowledge the need for effective solutions, such as the SutureWeld, to overcome this challenge, helping them to perform effective suturing, dramatically reducing complications and therefore, reducing patient discomfort and accelerating patient recovery.
This project aims to develop the first ultrasonic-based solution for surgical suturing that avoids the need for knot-tying techniques by applying OsteoWeld's implant welding technology applied to bone-to-bone and bone-to-tendon laceration repairing procedures. OsteoWeld's proposed solution will produce an effective suturing protocol and easy-to-use instrumentation that will enable optimal suture tension to be maintained throughout the healing process with no need for implant removal surgery, as these are completely absorbed by the human body once healing has occurred.
This project will therefore enable OsteoWeld to secure an advantageous market position in line with an expected upsurge of surgical procedures. SutureWeld will allow global healthcare providers to make significant time and cost savings, while providing surgeons with a more reproducible solution for difficult surgical knot-tying concerns.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
OSTEOWELD SURGICAL LIMITED | £350,381 | £ 245,267 |
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Participant |
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INNOVATE UK | ||
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM | £149,030 | £ 149,030 |
People |
ORCID iD |
Simon Mifsud (Project Manager) |