Adjustable Vacuum Chamber for Endoscopic Tissue Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical suturing techniques for endoscopic procedures, particularly in gastric reduction surgery, lack an efficient and minimally invasive method for applying sutures, leading to increased operative time and post-operative recovery, especially in procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic suturing apparatus with a suture housing, a needle that moves along a continuous circular path, and an adjustable vacuum chamber for tissue manipulation, allowing for precise suture application through a natural orifice, facilitating reduced trauma and faster recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional surgical techniques are used for gastric reduction surgery, then the procedure can be performed with existing methods, but operative time is prolonged and post-operative recovery is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical suturing techniques with an endoscopic suturing apparatus that uses a vacuum chamber to secure tissue and a rotating needle mechanism to apply sutures. This substitution of the mechanical system enables continuous suture application through a natural orifice, significantly reducing operative time and avoiding the need for large external openings, thereby reducing post-operative recovery time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If endoscopic procedures are used to minimize trauma, then patient recovery is improved, but efficient suture application becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vacuum chamber as an intermediary device that secures the tissue within the endoscopic apparatus. This intermediary mechanism allows the tissue to be held firmly in place, enabling efficient suture application through the limited space of the endoscope while maintaining the minimally invasive benefits of endoscopic procedures.
3Device complexity
If a fixed vacuum chamber is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying tissue sizes and types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable vacuum chamber with movable walls that can be expanded or contracted based on the size and type of tissue being sutured. This dynamic structure allows the same apparatus to adapt to various surgical scenarios, from small gastric pouches to larger tissue sections, enhancing versatility without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables efficient and minimally invasive suturing, reducing operative time and post-operative recovery by allowing continuous suture application with adjustable tissue manipulation, enhancing the precision and speed of gastric reduction surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber surrounding the suture housing. The vacuum chamber is coupled to a vacuum line of the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and a vacuum chamber surrounding the suture housing. The vacuum chamber is coupled to a vacuum line of the endoscope and includes a mechanism for adjusting the maximum amount of tissue that can be drawn into the vacuum chamber.