Bi-directional Suture Passer with Rotating Needle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bi-directional suture passer designs face challenges such as requiring flexible tissue for reverse suture passing, visibility issues with needle passage near sensitive anatomy, and ineffective detachable coupling of suture to the needle, leading to increased complexity and procedural time in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional suture passing instrument with a rotating needle mechanism that detachably couples and decouples the shuttling element to the needle and boom arm housing using engagement features like grooves, threads, or wings, allowing for perpendicularly approached tissue defects and ensuring the needle is visible in both directions, enhancing surgical safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sharp needle tip is used for suture passing, then suture passing capability is improved, but surgical safety deteriorates due to blind passage near sensitive anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is made radiopaque (visible on fluoroscopic imaging) allowing the surgeon to track the needle position and trajectory in real-time during suture passing, eliminating blind passage near sensitive anatomy while maintaining the sharp tip needed for effective tissue penetration
2Device complexity
If uni-directional suture passer is used, then device complexity is reduced, but procedural time increases due to manual retrieval and reloading steps
Solution Approach 1:
The suture passer is designed with bi-directional capability, allowing the needle to be advanced and retracted through the tissue defect multiple times without removal from the instrument. The shuttle mechanism can be reversibly coupled to the needle tip, enabling the suture to be passed back and forth through the tissue defect efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument combines multiple functions in a single device: the suture passer can perform both forward and reverse suture passing, and the shuttle mechanism can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the needle, eliminating the need for separate manual retrieval and reloading steps
3Ease of operation
If tissue is approached parallel to the defect, then suture passing is simplified, but adaptability to different surgical approaches deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suture passer is designed to approach the tissue defect perpendicularly rather than parallel, utilizing a different spatial dimension. The instrument can be inserted through a puncture site at the edge of the tissue defect and advance perpendicular to the defect plane, providing access for repairs such as disc annulus repair where parallel approach is not feasible
4Productivity
If detachable coupling mechanism is added to the needle, then suture retrieval efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture passing system is divided into separable components: the needle, the shuttle mechanism, and the suture. The shuttle can be reversibly coupled to the needle tip using simple engagement features such as a eyelet and pin, or bayonet coupling, allowing easy attachment and detachment without complex mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A bi-directional suture passing instrument configured to approach soft tissues perpendicularly, enables safer and more efficient surgical repairs and minimally invasive techniques to be employed, useful in areas such as annulus repair, meniscal repair, shoulder arthroscopy, hernia repair, laproscopic repair, and wound closure.