Barbed Intracorporeal Suture for Needle-Free Organ Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suture devices for minimally invasive surgery are expensive, difficult to use, and require large installation space, posing risks of infection, contamination, bleeding, and iatrogenic injuries, while also being time-consuming for knotting.

Innovation Solution

An intracorporeal suture device with integrated barbed sutures and hook structures that allow for retraction without needle extraction through the abdominal wall, featuring a flat area for easy handling and a drainage structure for larger organs, enabling safe and reliable organ retraction during minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional suture devices are used for minimally invasive surgery, then retraction of intraabdominal organs can be achieved, but the devices are expensive, difficult to use, and require large installation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretraction effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a suture portion with barbs for tissue engagement, a needle portion for intracorporeal insertion, and a flat area for manipulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall device design and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suture device is designed as a multi-functional intracorporeal tool that combines retraction, suturing, and manipulation capabilities in a single device. The barbed suture provides both anchoring and retraction functions, while the flat area enables direct manipulation without additional instruments, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple trocars are used in laparoscopic surgery, then good retraction and exposure can be achieved, but the risk of infection, contamination, bleeding, and iatrogenic injuries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical exposureVSAvoidinfection and injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts the need for needle extraction through the abdominal wall by designing an intracorporeal suture mechanism. The suture is placed and manipulated entirely within the abdominal cavity, eliminating the harmful extraction step that creates infection and injury risks while maintaining effective retraction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The barbed suture acts as an intermediary that provides secure tissue engagement and retraction without requiring repeated punctures or extractions through the abdominal wall. Once inserted intracorporeally, the barbed suture maintains its position and provides continuous retraction force without compromising the abdominal wall integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional suture devices are used, then suturing can be performed, but tying knots is time-consuming and frustrating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture capabilityVSAvoidknotting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The barbed suture design provides self-retention capability where the barbs automatically engage with the tissue to prevent suture pullout. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex knot-tying procedures, as the barbed structure inherently secures the suture in place, significantly reducing the time and frustration associated with knotting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If needle extraction through the abdominal wall is performed, then suture placement can be achieved, but risks of infection, contamination, bleeding, and iatrogenic vessel or nerve injuries occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture placementVSAvoidinfection and injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device converts the potential harm of needle extraction by redesigning the suture placement mechanism to be entirely intracorporeal. The barbed suture is inserted and manipulated within the abdominal cavity, transforming a harmful extraction process into a beneficial closed technique that maintains surgical site integrity while achieving effective suture placement and retraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12496054B2Intracorporeal retracting suture

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 VALDERRAMA ALEXANDER RAMIREZ

AI summary

The intracorporeal suture device is intended to provide users with a medical device that may be used to retract intraabdominal organs and tissue for better exposure during minimally invasive procedures (laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures). More specifically, the device allows for retraction without the need for needle extraction through the abdominal wall, thereby avoiding risk for infection, contamination, bleeding and iatrogenic vessels or nerves injuries. Accordingly, the single device includes differently shaped needle structures integrated onto a barbed suture that allows for safe and reliable retraction of organs during MIS procedures. Further, the device includes a flat area for easy handling of needles during intracorporeal manipulation avoiding the needs of a needle holder. Furthermore, the device includes additional drainage structures that helps with retraction of larger organs as well as collection of fluids during the procedures.