Arc-Shaped Suture Delivery Device for Minimally Invasive Joint Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical tools for passing sutures around anatomical structures are time-consuming and difficult, especially in minimally invasive procedures, due to the need for awkward angle manipulation and limited visibility, which increases the risk of tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A suture delivery device with a body portion and actuation member that deploys a suture delivery member with a pre-shaped arc, allowing for easy passage around anatomical structures, featuring a shape memory material and direction indication for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical tools are used to pass sutures around anatomical structures, then the surgeon can perform the procedure, but the surgical time increases and the risk of tissue damage increases due to awkward angle manipulation and limited visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The suture delivery member is pre-shaped in an arc configuration that defines at least about 270 degrees of a circle, allowing it to be pre-configured to match the anatomical structure's geometry before insertion. This preliminary shaping eliminates the need for manual manipulation at awkward angles during surgery, reducing both surgical time and tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The suture delivery member features a pre-shaped arc that defines at least about 270 degrees of a circle, creating a curved configuration that matches the anatomical structure's geometry. This curvature allows the device to navigate around complex anatomical structures like the coracoid process without requiring awkward manual manipulation, thereby reducing surgical time and tissue damage risk
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional tools are used for minimally invasive surgery, then incisions can be kept small, but visibility of the surgical site and ability to manipulate tools at varying angles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-shaped arc of the suture delivery member, defining at least about 270 degrees of a circle, provides the necessary curvature to navigate around complex anatomical structures through small incisions. This built-in geometry compensates for the limited visibility and manipulation ability inherent in minimally invasive approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The suture delivery member is pre-configured with the appropriate arc shape before insertion, allowing it to automatically conform to the anatomical structure's geometry once deployed. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time manipulation that would be difficult with limited visibility
3Manufacturing precision
If manual manipulation of rigid tools is used to pass sutures around complex anatomical structures, then the suture can be positioned, but the risk of tissue damage increases and surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture delivery member is pre-shaped in an arc that defines at least about 270 degrees of a circle, providing a geometry that matches complex anatomical structures like the coracoid process. This pre-configured curvature enables precise suture placement around the anatomy without requiring manual manipulation of rigid tools, thereby maintaining precision while reducing tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a straight configuration during insertion to a pre-shaped arc configuration (defining at least about 270 degrees of a circle) upon deployment. This parameter change in shape allows the device to conform to complex anatomical structures, achieving precise suture placement without the need for awkward manual manipulation that would increase tissue damage risk
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 device reduces surgical time and tissue damage risk by facilitating suture placement around anatomical structures without manual manipulation at awkward angles, enhancing precision and efficiency in procedures like acromioclavicular joint repairs.
Implementation Method 1
The suture delivery member can have a distal end that is pre-shaped in an arc that defines at least about 270° of a circle
Data Source
AI summary
Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for passing sutures around anatomical structures. In an exemplary embodiment, a suture delivery device is provided that includes a body portion having a suture delivery member disposed therein and configured to pass a suture around an anatomical structure. The suture delivery member can be movable between a retracted configuration in which the suture delivery member is disposed within the body portion and an advanced configuration in which the suture delivery member extends distally beyond the body portion and assumes an arcuate shape. The arcuate shape can correspond to a shape of the anatomical structure and can extend almost all of the way around the anatomical structure, for example at least around 270° of a circle, thus assisting a user in passing the suture around the anatomical structure without having to manually manipulate the suture delivery device at awkward angles around adjacent tissue.