Articulated MIS Suturing Head With Arced Needle Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) suturing is challenging due to limited space, visualization, and mobility, requiring precise manipulation of small needles and sutures, posing risks of needle pricks and organ penetration.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held suturing device with a suture head assembly that allows lateral articulation and a 'locomotive-type' drive mechanism for needle rotation perpendicular to the device's longitudinal axis, enabling easy maneuverability and visualization, mimicking manual suturing techniques while protecting against needle sticks and organ penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual suturing by hand is performed in MIS, then the surgeon can directly manipulate needles and sutures, but the limited space, visualization, and mobility make it extremely difficult or virtually impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a mechanical copy of manual suturing actions through a needle driver that replicates the surgeon's hand movements. The device includes a needle driver with a gripping mechanism that holds the needle and suture, and actuation mechanisms that copy the pronation and grasping motions of manual suturing, allowing these actions to be performed remotely through a cannula
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a needle driver as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the tissue. This device is inserted through a cannula and serves as a mediator that transfers the surgeon's manual manipulation actions to the needle and suture in the minimally invasive environment, enabling coordinated manipulation without direct hand access
2Object-affected harmful factors
If small punctures and cannulas are used for MIS, then less pain and disability occur compared to open surgery, but the small inside diameter (5-20mm) makes precise manipulation of instruments extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the suturing function into distinct mechanical components: a needle driver for gripping and driving the needle, a separate pick-up forceps for grasping the needle point, and an actuation system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function within the constrained cannula space, improving overall precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs lateral articulation of the needle driver, allowing it to move in multiple dimensions (up, down, left, right) relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. This dimensional freedom enables precise positioning and manipulation of the needle and suture within the limited space of the small-diameter cannula
3Productivity
If coordinated manipulation with both hands is required for manual suturing, then suturing can be performed, but the limited space and mobility in MIS make this coordination extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the needle driver and pick-up forceps into a single integrated device. The needle driver includes both the gripping mechanism for the needle tail and the pick-up mechanism for the needle point, allowing both hands' coordination to be replaced by a single operator controlling one device, thereby maintaining suturing efficiency while eliminating the coordination difficulty
4Productivity
If curved needles are used for manual suturing, then stitches can be placed by driving the needle in a circular arc, but the risk of accidental needle pricks and organ penetration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable needle and suture cartridge that is pre-loaded into the needle driver. The needle is contained within a protective housing until use, and after a single use, the entire cartridge is discarded. This eliminates the risk of needle stick injury to the surgeon from reusable needles and ensures the needle is always in a known, safe state
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for suturing are disclosed. An illustrative suturing device includes a housing defining an arced needle track having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a gap between the first end of the arced needle track and the second end of the arced needle track that extends inwardly into the housing to receive a tissue sample therein for suturing. The arced needle track is configured to receive an arced needle therein. The housing further defines an arcuate guide track to receive at least a portion of a needle drive of the suturing device. The suturing device further includes a needle drive configured to advance the arced needle along the arced needle track along a first direction. The needle drive includes a drive filament and a needle engagement surface. The drive filament is directed around and at least partially surrounds the gap of the housing.