Curved Needle Suture Passing Device Deformation Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suture passing devices often require disposable or replaceable super-elastic needles that deform during use, leading to failure and increased costs due to the need for frequent replacements during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A suture passing device equipped with a pre-curved needle that does not deform within the device or during deployment, allowing for a fixed and potentially reusable needle configuration, utilizing a curved needle nested within a matching curved track and a pivot joint to facilitate movement without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional suture passing devices use super-elastic needles that deform during use, then the needles can be loaded into the device, but the needles fail by breaking and must be replaced frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle reliabilityVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is pre-curved to match the curvature of the track before insertion, so that when the needle is advanced through the track, it follows the curved path without experiencing deformation. This preliminary configuration of the needle geometry eliminates the deformation that would otherwise occur during use, preventing needle failure and breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If disposable super-elastic needles are used, then the device can be simple in design, but the cost becomes excessive due to frequent replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidneedle cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is pre-curved to match the curvature of the track before insertion, so that when the needle is advanced through the track, it follows the curved path without experiencing deformation. This preliminary configuration of the needle geometry eliminates the deformation that would otherwise occur during use, preventing needle failure and breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If needles undergo deformation during deployment, then the needles can be inserted into the device, but the needles must be removed from inside the patient causing added difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle insertion easeVSAvoidneedle removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is pre-curved to match the curvature of the track before insertion, so that when the needle is advanced through the track, it follows the curved path without experiencing deformation. This preliminary configuration of the needle geometry eliminates the deformation that would otherwise occur during use, preventing needle failure and breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10470757B2Suture passing instruments and methods

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for passing one or more sutures in tissue repair and/or other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a curved needle mounted on the hand assembly and through a shaft. The curved needle remains within the jaw assembly and can be actuated out of the jaw assembly without deformation of the needle and by linear advancement of a needle linkage.