Bifurcated Magnetic Suture Loop With Cartridge Tube

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture passers face challenges in capturing and retrieving sutures under indirect non-stereoscopic visualization, particularly in confined spaces like the peritoneal cavity, due to the lack of precise positioning and the need for stereoscopic imaging, leading to extended procedure times and frustration.

Innovation Solution

A magnet-assisted suture grasper utilizing a suture retrieval needle, retriever body, grasper wire, and grasper arm with a grasper magnet that aligns with a magnetic suture using dipole magnets, allowing for self-alignment and mechanical trapping to secure the suture, reducing the need for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical suture passer with multi-arm design is used to grasp a suture, then the suture can be captured and retrieved, but precise positioning is required which is difficult under indirect non-stereoscopic visualization, leading to extended procedure times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture capture reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical multi-arm grasper system with a magnetic field-based system. A suture magnet attached to the suture interacts magnetically with a grasper magnet on the retrieval device, eliminating the need for precise mechanical positioning of multiple arms. The magnetic attraction automatically guides the grasper to the suture, significantly easing the operator's burden under indirect visualization while maintaining reliable suture capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a mechanical grasper with long moment arm is used, then the suture can be retrieved, but minor movements are magnified making it difficult to hold the instrument and suture steady, leading to failed grasping attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval efficiencyVSAvoidstability control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the long mechanical moment arm with a magnetic field interaction system. The magnetic attraction between the suture magnet and grasper magnet creates a stable connection that is not susceptible to magnification of minor movements. This allows the operator to retrieve the suture without the stability issues inherent in long mechanical lever systems, significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If non-stereoscopic imaging is used for indirect visualization, then the surgical procedure can be performed minimally invasively, but depth perception is lost making it difficult to position grasping elements around the suture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive capabilityVSAvoiddepth perception accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for stereoscopic imaging with a magnetic field-based positioning system. The magnetic attraction between the suture magnet and grasper magnet provides automatic alignment and depth information through the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force, eliminating the need for complex 3D imaging systems while maintaining minimally invasive capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If a magnetic suture with suture magnet is used, then self-alignment with the grasper magnet is achieved improving reliability, but the system complexity increases with additional magnetic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-alignment accuracyVSAvoidmagnetic component complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential magnetic functionality needed for self-alignment, using simple dipole magnets rather than complex magnetic assemblies. The suture magnet and grasper magnet are designed as straightforward magnetic components that provide reliable self-alignment through basic magnetic dipole interaction, avoiding unnecessary system complexity while achieving the desired reliability improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 magnet-assisted suture grasper improves the reliability and repeatability of suture capture and retrieval by aligning magnets predictably and using a mechanical trap to secure the suture, overcoming frictional drag in soft tissues.

Implementation Method 1

aligning magnets predictably using dipole magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic dipole alignment: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

using a mechanical trap to secure the suture, overcoming frictional drag in soft tissues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12408913B2Magnetic suture loop comprising a suture magnet, a bifurcated suture, and a cartridge tube

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 APPLIED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A magnetic suture loop comprising a suture magnet, a bifurcated suture, and a cartridge tube is disclosed. The bifurcated suture extends from the suture magnet and forms a suture loop. The cartridge tube comprises a cartridge tube proximal end, a cartridge tube distal end, and a cartridge tube wall extending therebetween. The cartridge tube has a cartridge tube proximal opening at the cartridge tube proximal end, a cartridge tube distal opening at the cartridge tube distal end, and a cartridge tube lumen extending from the cartridge tube proximal opening to the cartridge tube distal opening. The suture loop traverses the cartridge tube lumen based on having been inserted through the cartridge tube distal opening. The suture magnet is disposed outside of the cartridge tube lumen adjacent the cartridge tube distal opening.