Arthroscopic Suture Retrieval Basket for Safer Thread Grasping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operation of gripping the leading end of a suture thread during arthroscopic surgery to reconstruct the posterior cruciate ligament is difficult, unsafe, and prone to damaging surrounding structures due to poor visibility and the need for multiple tools.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with an insertion arm and retrieval element, featuring a flexible basket for intercepting and holding the suture thread, allowing precise and safe retrieval without additional instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tweezers or curved suture loop are used to insert and grasp the suture thread, then the suture thread can be inserted into the tibial tunnel, but the surgeon risks damaging the tibial plate, meniscus, and blood vessels due to poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device combines the insertion arm, handle, and retrieval element into a single integrated tool. The retrieval element is directly attached to the insertion arm, allowing the surgeon to perform both insertion and retrieval operations with one device rather than switching between multiple tools, thereby improving safety and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval element acts as an intermediary component between the surgeon's control at the handle and the suture thread at the contact end. This intermediary mechanism translates the surgeon's manual operations into precise retrieval actions at the surgical site, improving both control and safety
2Productivity
If multiple tools are used for suture thread manipulation, then the suture thread can be inserted and retrieved, but the operating time increases and the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device is designed to perform multiple functions: insertion of the suture thread into the tibial tunnel, retrieval of the suture thread leading end, and potential graft manipulation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate tools for each operation, reducing device complexity while improving operating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the functions of multiple surgical tools (tweezers, curved suture loop, retrieval instruments) into a single integrated system. The insertion arm and retrieval element work together as one unit, allowing the surgeon to complete multiple surgical steps without tool changes, thereby reducing overall procedure complexity and improving productivity
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
A surgical device for arthroscopy (1) comprising: - an insertion arm (2) having a folded contact end (4) configured to abut the surgical device (1) against a patient's bone (T), - a handle (3) connected to a connection end (2a) of the insertion arm (2), opposite to the folded contact end (4), and extending transversely to the insertion arm (2), and - a retrieval element (11) connected to the insertion arm (2) and mobile along the insertion arm (2) between a retracted position and an extracted position in which it intercepts a leading end of a suture thread (S) at the folded contact end (4), and mobile between the extracted position and the retracted position in which it holds the leading end. The retrieval element (11) is a basket made of flexible material defining a containment volume suitable for receiving said leading end of the suture thread (S). The containment volume is configured to expand in the transition between the retracted position and the extracted position and to shrink in the transition between the extracted position and the retracted position.