Arthroscopic Suture Shuttle with Roller Manipulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture passing and stitching devices in arthroscopic surgery are limited in maneuverability and functionality within the confined space of minimally invasive procedures, failing to efficiently pass and secure sutures through tissue.

Innovation Solution

A medical implement with a handle, internal passageway, and a shuttle mechanism featuring a rotatable roller and a suture-receiving loop, allowing for side-loading and manipulation of a long flexible wire to facilitate suture passage through tissue, enabling efficient suture management and manipulation within narrow surgical openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional suture passing devices are used in arthroscopic surgery, then the basic suture passing function is achieved, but the maneuverability and functionality are limited within the confined space

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a handle portion for manipulation, a shaft for transmission, and a shuttle mechanism for suture capture and passing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall maneuverability in confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shuttle is designed to be received within the shaft, and the suture-receiving element is nested within the shuttle. This nested configuration allows the device to maintain a compact profile when not in use while enabling full functionality when deployed, resolving the contradiction between maneuverability and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If existing suture devices are used, then some suture functions are achieved, but they fail to efficiently pass and secure sutures through tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture passing efficiencyVSAvoidmanipulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suture-receiving element is pre-configured in a specific geometry (such as a loop or eyelet) that is optimized for capturing suture material. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex manipulation during the actual suture passing operation, thereby improving both efficiency and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shuttle acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgeon's manual manipulation and the suture passing action. By providing a mechanical translation of simple thumb movements into precise suture capture and passage, the shuttle mediates between ease of operation and suture passing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex suture passing mechanism is implemented, then functionality is improved, but maneuverability in narrow openings is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture management capabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability in narrow space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shuttle is designed to be movable within the shaft, transitioning between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt to different surgical scenarios: maintaining a compact profile for maneuverability when the shuttle is retracted, and enabling full suture management functionality when the shuttle is extended for suture capture and passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances maneuverability and functionality in arthroscopic surgery by allowing for effective suture passing and retrieval through tissue, improving the efficiency of internal suturing procedures within the constraints of minimally invasive surgery.

Implementation Method 1

a roller rotatably mounted to the handle underlying the exposed intermediate portion of the shuttle such that, after a suture has been received by the suture-receiving-element of the shuttle, a user, gripping the handle, may manipulate the shuttle with respect to the distal end of the handle by thumb-pressing the exposed portion of the shuttle against the roller and rotating the roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10092287B2Medical implement for manipulating sutures particularly useful in arthroscopic surgery

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 T A G MEDICAL DEVICES-AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE LTD

AI summary

A medical implement for transport of a suture shuttle, comprising a handle including a proximal portion configured for manual gripping by a user, a distal portion, an internal passageway for a suture shuttle, extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the handle; an intermediate portion formed with a thumb depression facing a first direction; the proximal portion comprising a slot extending from the internal passageway to a lateral face of the handle for enabling side-loading of a suture shuttle into a proximal portion of the internal passageway, the slot facing a second direction; the slot extending longitudinally from a proximal end of the handle to an intersection with the thumb depression, wherein at the intersection the slot is exposed in the first direction, and a roller rotatably mounted at the thumb depression.