Angled Suturing Head for Surgical Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automated suturing apparatuses for soft tissue closure often require surgeons to adopt uncomfortable and potentially unsafe arm orientations due to the perpendicular or inline orientation of the suturing head with the support shaft, leading to ergonomic shortcomings.
Innovation Solution
A suturing apparatus with a suturing head obliquely oriented relative to the support shaft, featuring a U-shaped support arm with a transverse track that can be angled up to 45 degrees, a drive assembly with a telescoping joint, and a trigger assembly for controlled needle movement, allowing improved access to the surgical site without requiring undesirable body positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the suturing head is oriented perpendicular to or in line with the support shaft, then the device structure is simple, but the surgeon must orient their arm in unusual and undesirable orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The suturing head is oriented at an oblique angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the support shaft, transitioning from a conventional perpendicular or inline orientation. This angular reorientation in a new dimensional configuration allows the surgeon to maintain a more natural arm orientation while performing suturing operations, thereby improving ergonomics without fundamentally complicating the device structure
2Ease of operation
If the suturing head is obliquely oriented relative to the support shaft, then access to surgical site is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the suturing head at an oblique angle relative to the support shaft, the device enables access to surgical sites that are difficult to reach with conventional perpendicular or inline orientations. This angular configuration allows the surgeon to approach the surgical site from a more advantageous angle, improving operational access while maintaining a relatively simple device structure through straightforward geometric modification
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing apparatus for the continuous application of a suture includes a suturing head shaped and dimensioned for attachment to a distal end of a support member. The suturing head includes a track shaped and dimensioned for receiving a needle for movement about the track. A support arm includes first and second lateral arms connected by a central connecting member supporting the track. The support arm includes a longitudinal axis and the track lies in a transverse plane. Angular orientation of the support arm relative to the track is achieved by positioning the transverse plane of the track at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support arm such that operators are provided with improved access to the surgical site. A drive assembly is coupled to the needle for controlled movement about the track.