<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe second obstacle to the use of barbed sutures is procuring them. Barbed sutures tend to be both expensive and low in supply. That\u2019s because the current process for making them (mechanical and blade-based) is inefficient in terms of both time and resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s where Nambi Gowri\u2019s research with the Wilson College\u2019s Biomedical Textiles Research Group comes in. She\u2019s developing a faster and cheaper method for making the same quality of barbed suture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I fabricate using a laser, the fabrication time is pretty short compared to a mechanical barbing technique,\u201d Nambi Gowri says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nMoving from a mechanical method to a laser method has another advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe manipulation of the barbed suture itself is easier using a laser,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, using the lasers will allow Nambi Gowri to apply the custom barb geometries, or angles, suggested by prior researchers on a commercial scale. These custom geometries will allow the barbed suture to be optimized for the type of tissue it will be connecting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the new process, Nambi Gowri is also developing a new suture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI'm the first one to actually study Catgut barbed sutures,\u201d she explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Catgut was actually one of the earliest materials used to make sutures. The filament is made from tissue taken from an animal\u2019s stomach \u2013 especially cattle stomachs \u2013 hence the name. While the industry had moved away from this material in favor of synthetic polymers, Nambi Gowri sees the potential for Catgut in barbed sutures because of their quick degradation rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese are useful external wound closures,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause our body contains so much collagen and Catgut is made up of 90% collagen, it's a more suitable polymer that can be used in human tissue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hands-on experience informs research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn the meantime, Nambi Gowri has gained hands-on experience to inform her research by fabricating all of the barbed sutures used in Dr. Ruff\u2019s micro facelift surgeries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The surgery itself is made possible because of the shape and the material composition of the sutures: poly 4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB). This polymer is already present naturally within our bodies, so sutures made from P4HB are naturally and safely absorbed by the body over time. That means patients don\u2019t have to schedule an appointment after surgery for the sutures to be removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/vimeo.com\/488770052\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
P4HB also provides the perfect combination of strength and elasticity to hold up the facial tissue until the wound has healed. The barbs, on the other hand, allow for the suture to be placed and stay secure within the skin without the need for large incisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat skin tightens up right away,\u201d Dr. Ruff says of the procedure, which draws patients from across the country. \u201cSo I don't have to remove hair, and I don't have to put a scar at the hairline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese sutures are not available commercially anywhere in the world. So to be able to mechanically barb different size sutures in a reliable and consistent manner for use in clinical practice, requires skill, experience and knowledge of quality control,\u201d Professor King says of Nambi Gowri\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has given Karuna a hands-on understanding of the sutures she\u2019s hoping to improve upon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says her fiber and polymer science knowledge has played a key role in helping her approach all sides of her research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll the analytical characterization techniques that are used for characterization of sutures \u2013 like identifying mechanical properties and measuring tensile strength \u2013 is actually from my knowledge of textiles,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m applying my polymer chemistry knowledge to make sure that the laser doesn\u2019t cause the sutures to degrade, melt or experience thermal damage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs she works to patent her designs, Nambi Gowri feels confident that her dissertation will set her up for success in the research and development (R&D) field after graduation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime, she\u2019s already finding out about the ways her research can have a broader impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDr. Dan Duffy, DVM, a surgeon at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine is also interested in using barbed sutures to repair torn and failed tendons on his animals, but he finds the cost of buying commercial barbed sutures prohibitively expensive. So we need to collaborate,\u201d King says. \u201cKaruna to the rescue!\u201d<\/p>\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Wilson College of Textiles student Karuna Nambi Gowri’s dissertation will make barbed sutures more efficient and customizable, which means less time on the operating table for patients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":53563,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"Sarah Stone","ncst_show_custom_author":true,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"displayCategoryID\":512,\"featuredVideoURL\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/4y-nrqtDrH8?si=pMAza9oxbjo8S5DI\",\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":true}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[742,512,502,479],"tags":[1143,2327,2328,1055,504,1382],"class_list":["post-53539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newswire","category-research-and-innovation","category-student-success","category-tecs","tag-department-of-textile-engineering-chemistry-and-science","tag-faculty-research","tag-graduate-programs","tag-ph-d-fiber-and-polymer-science","tag-research","tag-wilson-college-of-textiles"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":512,"name":"Research and Innovation","slug":"research-and-innovation","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":512,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":242,"filter":"raw"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"
NC State Doctoral Student Developing Better Manufacturing Method for Wound Closures - Wilson College of Textiles<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n