Curved Needle Suture Deployment for Faster Aortotomy Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The suturing process during aortotomy in heart valve surgery is tedious and time-consuming, particularly when using mattress or running sutures, which often require manual knot-tying.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with a handle, a supply of suture stored in its interior space, and a curved needle extending from a tube, allowing for rapid deployment and secure closure of the aortotomy through a helical needle mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual suturing with needle driver is used, then suture can be applied accurately, but the process is tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture placement accuracyVSAvoidsuturing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical needle driver system with an automated catheter-based delivery system. The catheter contains an internal needle that automatically deploys the suture through the aortic wall when the catheter is advanced and deployed, eliminating the need for manual needle manipulation and knot tying while maintaining precise placement through controlled catheter positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture is pre-loaded into the catheter assembly before the procedure begins. The needle is pre-positioned within the catheter, and the suture material is pre-threaded through the needle. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment during surgery without requiring time-consuming assembly or manipulation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple sutures with knots are used to ensure secure closure, then reliability improves, but the time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure securityVSAvoidsuturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the knot-tying step from the suturing process entirely. Instead of requiring manual knot tying to secure the suture, the design uses a continuous suture loop that is deployed through the aortic wall and tied externally at the skin surface, eliminating the time-consuming in-situ knot tying while maintaining secure closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter acts as an intermediary device that delivers the suture and needle through the aortic wall without requiring direct manual manipulation. The catheter guides the needle and suture through the tissue, providing controlled deployment and securing the closure through the external knot-tying mechanism rather than requiring multiple internal sutures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3422957B1Systems for deploying surgical suture

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

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AI summary

A device for suturing an incision in an artery has a handle, a supply of suture stored on spindle housed in the handle, a tube extending from the handle having a lumen through which suture extends, and a curved needle at a distal end of the handle, the curved needle having an opening through which a free end of the suture extends. A method for suturing an incision in an artery includes creating sequential openings in first and second flaps of the incision, with loops of suture extending through openings in one flap, with a free end of suture extending through the second flap being pulled through the loops and secured to another free end of suture extending through the first flap, to close the incision.