Articulated Mechanical Suturing Device for Abdominal Wall Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for closing the abdominal wall post midline laparotomy incision are inefficient and prone to complications, particularly in minimally invasive surgeries, due to the lack of advanced technological development and suitable instruments for articulating movements, leading to increased time and risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical suturing device with articulated, flexible working bodies that allow for automated closure of the linea alba, utilizing a minimally invasive surgical method with direct view dissection of deeper layers, incorporating a central camera and diamond-shaped folding structures for precise suturing and tissue handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open surgical methods are used for closing the abdominal wall, then direct access and visibility are achieved, but surgical time is increased and infection risk is elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional manual mechanical suturing with an automated mechanical suturing device that performs closure operations automatically. The device includes a needle driver, suture material feed, and automated needle manipulation mechanisms that eliminate manual stitching while reducing surgical time and exposure to infection risks
Solution Approach 2:
The suturing device is designed to perform self-guided closure operations through pre-programmed motion paths and automated needle-suture-tissue interaction. The system independently manages the complex coordination of needle insertion, suture feeding, and knot tying without requiring continuous manual intervention
2Reliability
If minimally invasive surgical methods are used, then infection risk and surgical trauma are reduced, but the lack of appropriate instruments limits articulating movements and closes access
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into multiple articulated segments that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the distal end of the instrument to reach deep into the abdominal cavity while the proximal end remains accessible outside the body, enabling minimally invasive access with full articulating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates dynamic articulation mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of the tool's orientation and position. The articulated joints enable the instrument to adapt its configuration to access different tissue locations within the abdominal cavity while maintaining minimally invasive entry points
3Productivity
If automated mechanical suturing is implemented, then surgical time is reduced and closure precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated suturing device is designed as a multi-functional instrument that integrates needle driving, suture feeding, knot tying, and tissue grasping capabilities in a single device. This universal design consolidates multiple separate functions into one system, improving surgical efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where the suture material is contained within the needle driver, and the needle driver is housed within the main instrument body. This nesting arrangement allows compact packaging of multiple components while maintaining automated functionality, reducing the overall footprint and complexity of the device
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments for surgical suturing, for the purpose of enabling direct vision access, abdominal wall suturing and procedures of minimum invasion of abdominal structure from the surface thereof to deeper layers.