Curved Double-Arm Needle Docking for Tether-Protected Tissue Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for closing tissue openings during medical procedures often cause damage to tethers or medical devices extending through the openings, and there is a need for improved suturing techniques to maintain hemostasis and protect these tethers.
Innovation Solution
A suture system comprising curved double arm needles and a needle manipulating instrument that maintains needles in alignment and orientation, along with a needle docking device and protective sleeves to minimize damage to tethers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suturing methods are used to close tissue openings, then hemostasis can be maintained, but damage to tethers extending through the openings occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the suture and the tethers. The sleeve is positioned within the tissue opening to provide a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the suture material and the tethers, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of suture-induced tether damage while maintaining the hemostatic function
Solution Approach 2:
The closing system is divided into separate functional components: the protective sleeve that protects tethers, the suture material that provides closure, and the needle manipulating instrument that delivers the suture. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the protective sleeve specifically addressing the tether protection requirement
2Reliability
If stitching patterns are applied around tissue openings to close them, then opening closure is achieved, but tethers extending through the openings are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve serves as a mediator between the stitching operation and the tethers. By positioning the sleeve within the opening before applying the stitching pattern, the sleeve intercepts and prevents the harmful mechanical interactions between the suture and tethers, allowing effective closure without tether damage
3Reliability
If needles are used to insert sutures around tissue openings, then effective stitching is achieved, but alignment and orientation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The needle manipulating instrument merges multiple functions into a single device: it holds the needle, maintains proper alignment and orientation, and facilitates insertion. This integration eliminates the need for separate alignment tools or manual manipulation steps, making the suturing operation easier to perform while maintaining stitching effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The needle manipulating instrument is designed with universal features that accommodate different needle types and configurations while maintaining consistent alignment and orientation control. The instrument's distal portion can engage various needle geometries, making it a multi-functional tool that simplifies the overall suturing process
Data Source
AI summary
A suture system can comprise a first and a second curved double arm needle, and a needle docking device configured to maintain the first and the second curved double arm needles in alignment with and parallel to one another and at predetermined orientations relative to the needle docking device. The system can include a needle manipulating instrument having a distal portion configured to engage the first and the second curved double arm needles while the first and second curved double arm needles are in the needle docking device, and to maintain the needles in predetermined orientations.