An annulus fibrosus minimally invasive suturing instrument

Abstract

This invention discloses a minimally invasive suturing instrument for the annulus fibrosus. The instrument uses a single-needle suture device, inserting a needle at each end of the suture thread on both sides of the incision, allowing the two knots of the suture thread to penetrate the incision from both sides. Finally, the suture thread is used to tie the incision, completing the suturing. A safety knob and a secondary limit switch control the rod-shaped pusher of the suture to move twice within the straight needle tube. Because knots are placed at both ends of the suture thread, the knots cannot be withdrawn from the soft tissue once they enter it. This invention allows for autonomous control of the needle spacing and needle direction, making the suturing process more precise and reliable. It overcomes the problems of suturing failure caused by the inability to adjust the needle spacing and direction between the two needles in a double-needle device. This invention has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, high reliability and good effect in deep soft tissue incision anastomosis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and is used for minimally invasive surgical suturing of patients, particularly a minimally invasive suturing device for annulus fibrosus. Background Technology

[0002] Minimally invasive surgical suturing is a fundamental procedure for surgeons to anastomose and fix incisions. During this process, surgeons typically hold a curved needle and use the suture thread to close the incision. However, suturing deep soft tissue incisions in minimally invasive surgery presents significant challenges. Because the hand cannot reach the incision site, the suturing effect is often poor, or even impossible. Existing technologies disclose several double-needle devices, i.e., straight needles plus curved needles. The problem is that, because the double needle tubes in conventional devices limit the distance between the two needles and the direction of the suture, it is almost impossible to control the position of the two needles on either side of the incision, and the relative direction of the suture cannot be adjusted. Furthermore, if either needle is too close to the incision, the soft tissue at the incision edge may collapse, leading to suturing failure. This invention addresses these problems by designing an instrument for anastomosing deep soft tissue incisions in minimally invasive surgery. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a minimally invasive suturing instrument for the annulus fibrosus, addressing the shortcomings of existing minimally invasive suturing techniques. This invention employs a single-needle suture device, with both ends of the suture thread sequentially positioned on the tip of a rod-shaped suture needle. Suturing is performed through two insertions of the tip. A safety knob and a secondary limit switch control the tip of the rod-shaped suture needle to move twice within the tube of a straight needle, inserting a needle at each end of the suture thread on both sides of the incision. This allows the two knots of the suture thread to penetrate both sides of the incision, and the exposed suture thread is then used to tie the incision, completing the suturing. Because knots are placed at both ends of the suture thread, the knots, once inside the soft tissue, restrict the retrograde movement of the suture thread, preventing the knots from exiting the soft tissue.

[0004] Minimally invasive surgery, due to its extremely narrow access channels (typically only 0.3 to 2 cm), makes suturing deep tissues very difficult for surgeons, frequently resulting in suturing failures. This invention addresses this issue by allowing autonomous control of the needle spacing and needle direction, leading to more precise and reliable suturing. It overcomes the problems of traditional double-needle devices where the narrow needle spacing prevents movement and the inability to adjust needle direction resulted in low needle pass-through accuracy and suturing failure. Furthermore, in traditional double-needle devices, close proximity of any needle to the incision can cause suturing failure due to soft tissue collapse at the incision edge. This invention offers advantages such as simple structure, ease of operation, high reliability in deep soft tissue incision anastomosis, and excellent results.

[0005] The specific technical solution to achieve the purpose of this invention is: A minimally invasive suturing instrument for the annulus fibrosus, characterized by: A housing consisting of two interlocking half-shells, and containing a needle tube holder, a straight groove, a handle shaft seat, a handle limiting platform, a first handle spring seat, a safety knob seat, a safety knob spring seat, and a stroke display block spring seat; wherein, one half-shell is provided with a stroke display window, and the other half-shell is provided with a secondary limit switch; the straight groove is coaxially arranged with the needle tube holder, and the straight groove is located at the tail end of the needle tube holder; A hollow, straight needle with a needle holder at the tail, a needle tube in the middle, and a needle at the head; A rod-shaped ejector pin with a push block at the tail and a push rod at the head, and a pin and a stop block on the push block, and a wire storage groove near the end of the push rod; A slide seat with a pin groove; A cylindrical safety knob with a locking mechanism; A long handle with a locking groove, a waist-shaped hole, a lever, a hinge hole and a second handle spring seat arranged from top to bottom; A travel display block with position markers; A sewing thread with knots at both ends; One handle tension spring, one travel indicator block spring, and one safety knob spring; The slide seat is coaxially disposed in the straight groove of the housing; The rod-shaped ejector pin has its ejector rod located inside the needle tube of the straight needle, and the push block of the rod-shaped ejector pin is located in the ejector groove of the sliding groove seat and moves coaxially. The needle tube seat of the straight needle is located on the needle tube sleeve seat of the housing. The stop of the rod-shaped ejector pin contacts the secondary limit switch on the other half of the housing; The hinge hole of the long handle is hinged to the handle shaft seat of the housing, and the waist-shaped hole is hinged to the pin of the rod-shaped ejector pin. The travel display block is located on the travel display window on a half-shell, and the lever of the long handle touches the travel display block; The safety knob is located on the safety knob seat of the housing, and the latch engages with the locking groove of the long handle: One end of the handle spring is connected to the second handle spring seat of the long handle, and the other end is connected to the first handle spring seat of the housing; The travel display block spring is mounted on the travel display block spring seat of the housing, and its elastic end contacts the travel display block; The safety knob spring is located on the safety knob spring seat of the housing, and its elastic end contacts the safety knob. The suture is folded in half at the middle and placed inside the needle tube of the straight needle, and the two knots of the suture are located in the suture storage groove of the top rod and the head of the top rod, respectively.

[0006] The knot of the suture is T-shaped.

[0007] This invention enables more precise and reliable suturing by allowing autonomous control of the needle spacing and direction between the two needles. It overcomes the problems of suturing failure caused by the inability to move the needle spacing between the two needles in a double-needle tube and the inability to adjust the direction between the two suture needles. This invention has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, high reliability and good effect in anastomosis of deep soft tissue incisions. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the suture, straight needle, and rod-shaped ejector pin. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of part A; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the safety knob. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the long handle. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the shell structure; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the travel display block and its housing. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the secondary limit switch and its housing. Implementation

[0009] Example

[0010] Suture assembly: See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 Fold the suture 8, which has knots 81 at both ends, in half and place it into the gap between the needle tube 23 on the straight needle 2 and the top rod 32 on the rod-shaped top needle 3. Place the two knots 81 of the suture 8 into the suture storage groove 34 of the top rod 32 and the head of the top rod 32, respectively. And make the two knots 81 sequentially in the needle tip 22 of the straight needle 2 to complete the assembly of the suture 8.

[0011] Perform deep soft tissue incision suturing: See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 Similar to a handheld gun, the hand grips the handle of the casing 1, with the index finger touching the long handle 6; Insert the needle 22 into the soft tissue on one side of the incision; With the other hand, turn the safety knob 5 to overcome the resistance of the safety knob spring 93 and rotate the safety knob 5 counterclockwise around the safety knob seat 16, so that the lock 51 of the safety knob 5 disengages from the lock groove 64 of the long handle 6. Pull the long handle 6 with your index finger, causing it to rotate clockwise around the handle pivot 13 against the tension of the handle spring 91. This rotation presses against the pin 35 of the rod-shaped ejector pin 3 through the oblong hole 65 of the long handle 6, causing the rod-shaped ejector pin to... The push block 31 of the rod 3, together with the push rod 32, runs coaxially within the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2 until the stop block 33 on the push block 31 is blocked by the secondary limit switch 10, completing one run of the push rod 32 of the rod-shaped push needle 3 within the needle tube of the straight needle. At this time, the knot 81 set at the head of the push rod 32 has entered the soft tissue on one side of the incision, and one knot 81 of the suture 8 is set in place. Hold the gun handle of the casing 1 and pull the needle 22 out of the soft tissue, then insert it into the soft tissue on the other side of the incision. Use your other hand to move the secondary limit switch 10 on the housing 1 so that the secondary limit switch 10 is disengaged from the stop block 33 on the push block 31; Continue to use your index finger to pull the long handle 6, so that the long handle 6 overcomes the tension of the handle spring 91 and continues to rotate clockwise around the handle shaft seat 13. The long handle 6 presses the pin 35 of the rod-shaped needle 3 through the waist-shaped hole 65, so that the push block 31 of the rod-shaped needle 3 and the push rod 3 continue to run coaxially in the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2, completing the second run of the push rod 32 of the rod-shaped needle 3 in the needle tube of the straight needle. At this time, the suture knot 81 set in the suture storage groove 34 on the push rod 32 has entered the soft tissue on the other side of the incision, and the other suture knot 81 of the suture 8 is set in place. The portion of the suture 8 left outside the soft tissue is used to tie the incision, thus completing the incision closure.

[0012] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 This invention controls the rod-shaped ejector pin 32 via a safety knob 5 and a secondary limit switch 10. The ejector pin 32 moves twice within the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2, inserting into one side and the other side of the soft tissue incision respectively. It allows for autonomous control of the needle spacing and direction of the two needles, making the suturing process more precise and reliable. This overcomes the problems of low needle hole accuracy and suturing failure caused by the inability to adjust the needle spacing and direction of the two needles in traditional double-needle tube devices. Furthermore, in conventional double-needle tube devices, if any one needle is too close to the incision, suturing failure may occur due to soft tissue collapse at the incision edge. This invention has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, high reliability of deep soft tissue incision anastomosis, and good results.

[0013] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The present invention employs the locking 51 of the safety knob 5 to engage with the locking groove 64 of the long handle 6, ensuring that the long handle 6 is locked in the non-working state, ensuring that the straight tube needle 2, the rod-shaped pin 3 and the suture 8 are all in the factory-set state, and preventing malfunctions during suturing.

[0014] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 The present invention provides a secondary limit switch 10 on the housing 1, which limits the one-time travel of the push block 31 of the rod-shaped ejector 3 together with the push rod 3 in the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2, ensuring that the suture 8 with the knot 81 at one end of the head of the push rod 32 enters the soft tissue on one side of the incision. When the secondary limit switch 10 is opened, the push block 31 is released, and the push block 31 of the rod-shaped ejector 3 together with the push rod 3 continues to run in the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2, ensuring that the suture 8 with the knot 81 at the other end of the suture storage groove 34 enters the soft tissue on the other side of the incision. By controlling the two runs of the push block 31 in the straight needle 2 through the secondary limit switch 10, the suture 8 is placed in the suture storage groove 34 of the push rod 32 and the two knots 81 at the head of the push rod 32 are respectively placed into the two sides of the incision, thereby realizing the suturing of the incision.

[0015] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 To facilitate observation of the running position of the rod-shaped ejector pin 3 within the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2, the present invention provides a stroke display window 19 on a half-shell. A stroke display block 7 marked with a position mark is provided in the stroke display window 19. The stroke display block 7 is driven by the lever 62 on the long handle 6, accurately displaying the travel position of the rod-shaped ejector pin 3 within the needle tube 23 of the straight needle 2.

[0016] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 The present invention provides T-shaped knots 81 at both ends of the suture 8. When the knots 81 enter the soft tissue of the incision, they open on their own, limiting the retrograde movement of the suture 8 and ensuring that the knots 81 cannot be pulled out from the soft tissue.

Claims

1. A minimally invasive suturing instrument for the annulus fibrosus, characterized in that... It includes: A housing (1) is formed by two half-shells fastened together, and includes a needle tube holder (11), a straight groove (12), a handle shaft seat (13), a handle limiting platform (14), a first handle spring seat (15), a safety knob seat (16), a safety knob spring seat (17), and a stroke display block spring seat (18); wherein, one half-shell is provided with a stroke display window (19), and the other half-shell is provided with a secondary limit switch (10); the straight groove (12) is coaxially arranged with the needle tube holder (11), and the straight groove (12) is located at the tail end of the needle tube holder (11); A hollow, straight needle (2) with a needle holder (21) at the tail, a needle tube (23) in the middle, and a needle tip (22) at the head. A rod-shaped ejector pin (3) with a push block (31) at the tail and a push rod (32) at the head, and a pin (35) and a stop block (33) on the push block (31), and a wire storage groove (34) is provided near the end of the push rod (32). A slide seat (4) with a pin groove (41); A columnar safety knob (5) with a latch (51). A long handle (6) having a locking groove (64), an oblong hole (65), a shifter (62), a hinge hole (61) and a second handle spring seat (63) arranged from top to bottom. A travel display block (7) with a position marker; A suture (8) with knots (81) at both ends; A handle tension spring (91), a travel indicator block spring (92), and a safety knob spring (93); The slide seat (4) is coaxially disposed in the straight groove (12) of the housing (1); The push rod (32) of the rod-shaped ejector (3) is located inside the needle tube (23) of the straight needle (2), and the push block (31) of the rod-shaped ejector (3) is located in the ejector groove (41) of the sliding seat (4) and moves coaxially. The needle tube seat (21) of the straight needle (2) is located on the needle tube sleeve seat (11) of the housing (1). The stop (33) of the rod-shaped ejector pin (3) contacts the secondary limit switch (10) on the other half of the housing; The hinge hole (61) of the long handle (6) is hinged to the handle shaft seat (13) of the housing (1), and the waist-shaped hole (65) is hinged to the pin (35) of the rod-shaped pin (3). The travel display block (7) is located on the travel display window (19) on a half-shell, and the lever (62) of the long handle (6) touches the travel display block (7); The safety knob (5) is located on the safety knob seat (16) of the housing (1), and the latch (51) engages with the locking groove (64) of the long handle (6): One end of the handle spring (91) is connected to the second handle spring seat (63) of the long handle (6), and the other end is connected to the first handle spring seat (15) of the housing (1); The stroke display block spring (92) is provided on the stroke display block spring seat (18) of the housing (1), and its elastic end contacts the stroke display block (7); The safety knob spring (93) is located on the safety knob spring seat (17) of the housing (1), and its elastic end contacts the safety knob (5); The suture (8) is folded in half in the middle and placed inside the needle tube (23) of the straight needle (2), and the two knots (81) of the suture (8) are located in the suture storage groove (34) of the top rod (32) and the head of the top rod (32), respectively.

2. The annulus fibrosus minimally invasive suturing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The knot (81) of the suture (8) is T-shaped.

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