Contractible Shuttle Loading for Damage-Free Suture Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture devices require loading of suture and/or shuttles without causing damage to the suture and/or shuttle during the loading process.
Innovation Solution
A loader system with a body, device space, loader control, and a shuttle that can move between first and second positions, allowing for contraction and expansion to facilitate loading and unloading of suture and/or shuttles into the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual loading of suture and shuttle is performed, then the device can be loaded, but the suture and/or shuttle may be damaged during the loading process
Solution Approach 1:
A loader apparatus is introduced as an intermediary device between the operator and the suture device. The loader includes a loader body with a device receiving portion that securely holds the suture device, and a shuttle receiving portion that guides the shuttle and suture into the device without manual handling of the suture itself, thereby preventing damage while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The loader is designed to pre-position and secure the suture device in its receiving portion before the loading operation begins. The device is held in a predetermined orientation and position, allowing the shuttle and suture to be loaded smoothly without requiring precise manual manipulation that could cause damage
2Ease of operation
If the shuttle is made contractible to facilitate loading, then loading becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle is designed with dynamic characteristics, specifically the ability to contract and expand. The shuttle includes a contractible body that can reduce its longitudinal dimension to fit through the suture device and then expand to its functional size once loaded, enabling easy loading while accepting the necessary structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle's physical parameters, specifically its longitudinal dimension, are changed dynamically during the loading process. The shuttle transitions from an expanded state (for functionality) to a contracted state (for loading) and back to expanded state (for operation), allowing it to pass through the suture device without permanent structural modification
Data Source
AI summary
A device is disclosed that can load a suture and/or a shuttle into a device. The device can have a suture and/or a shuttle that can be moved (e.g., via a loader control) from a non-loaded configuration to a loaded configuration without damaging the suture or the shuttle.