Angled Suture Guide for Precise Achilles Tendon Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical repair of Achilles tendon ruptures often requires precise placement of sutures through small incisions, which existing instruments lack the precision and accuracy needed for efficient repair.
Innovation Solution
A guiding apparatus with a non-circular aperture and angled blade, combined with an elongated rod, allows for precise placement of sutures by maintaining parallel orientation and indicating desired entry and exit points, enhancing surgical tool precision and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing surgical instruments are used for suture placement through small incisions, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the precision and accuracy of suture placement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion with a non-circular aperture for rod insertion and orientation control, and a blade portion with an angled configuration and aperture for suture guidance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs asymmetric geometric features including a non-circular aperture in the body portion that prevents rotational misalignment, and an angled blade portion with a specific aperture orientation. These asymmetric elements ensure precise angular positioning and prevent incorrect orientation during suture placement.
2Manufacturing precision
If a guiding apparatus with non-circular aperture and angled blade is used, then suture placement precision and accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated apparatus: the body portion with orientation-control aperture, the angled blade portion, and the suture-guidance aperture are combined into one cohesive device. This integration ensures that all precision elements work together simultaneously while being positioned relative to each other in fixed, pre-determined spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is pre-configured with specific geometric relationships before use: the non-circular aperture is pre-shaped to accept rods of corresponding geometry, and the blade is pre-angled at a predetermined angle. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for intra-procedural adjustment and ensures consistent precision across all uses.
3Productivity
If multiple guiding apparatuses are positioned parallel to each other, then consistent alignment and concurrent suture placement are achieved, but the time and effort for positioning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding apparatus is designed with universal features that enable multiple apparatuses to be positioned parallel to each other: the standardized non-circular aperture accepts rods of consistent geometry, and the blade angle is standardized. This universality allows multiple devices to be quickly aligned and positioned without custom adjustment for each apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
A rod serves as an intermediary element that passes through the non-circular apertures of multiple guiding apparatuses, mechanically linking them together. This intermediary rod enforces parallel positioning and concurrent movement of all apparatuses, ensuring consistent alignment while reducing the time required for positioning compared to independent adjustment of each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A guiding apparatus, system, method, and forceps device for facilitating placement of sutures in a surgical procedure. The apparatus including a shaft portion having a non-circular aperture extending laterally therethrough and a blade portion having a shank extending at an angle from the shaft portion and a blade having a blade aperture extending from the shank. The system includes a plurality of the apparatuses held substantially parallel by an elongated rod through the apertures of the shafts. The blade apertures guide the at least one suture to a desired location to pierce through a target body tissue.