The new sutures consist of a medical-grade silk thread coated with a conductive polymer that allows it to respond to wireless signals. It has an integrated electronic sensor that does not need a power source. A wireless reader is used to control the thread from outside the body.
Smart sutures minimally modify the standard surgical procedure. When the wound is sutured, the insulating section of the thread is threaded through the electronic module, and the electrical contacts are secured with medical grade silicone. The surgical suture will function as an RFID tag and can be read by an external device that sends a signal to the smart thread. If the frequency of the reflected signal changes, this means that complications have begun in the wound that require immediate medical attention. Smart sutures can detect wound dehiscence, infection or other problems. Early clinical trials have shown that the power levels required to operate the system are safe for the human body.
At the moment, smart sutures can be integrated into the body up to a depth of 50 mm. In the future, it can be increased by increasing the conductivity of the thread or the sensitivity of the wireless reader. Unlike rigid electronic sensors, which, when implanted into the patient's body, may not integrate well with the sensitive tissue of the wound, the new development takes root well in the body. Wounds closed with smart sutures heal in the same amount of time as with standard modern tools. In the postoperative period, the threads can be removed using an invasive surgical or endoscopic procedure.
The use of smart sutures in medicine will reduce the frequency of reoperations and lead to faster recovery of patients. In the future, scientists plan to develop a portable wireless reader that will replace the stationary installation. It will give patients the opportunity to leave the hospital earlier after surgery and to monitor their health at home on their own.