Curved Suture Needle Non-Smooth Profile for Roller Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current curved suture needles are not designed for use with new roller needle drivers, leading to sub-optimal performance and difficulty in securely positioning and driving needles at non-standard angles, particularly affecting left-handed surgeons and increasing the risk of incorrect maneuvering during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A curved suture needle with a non-smooth profile featuring circumferential indentations and ridges that securely fit within the grooves of roller needle drivers, allowing for dynamic positioning and multi-planar driving, including angled orientations, and a tapered transition portion for smooth thread attachment and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flat-tipped needle drivers are used to clamp the needle, then the needle can be held securely in a static position, but the needle cannot move relative to the driver and left-handed surgeons have difficulties operating the device
Solution Approach 1:
The needle driver transitions from a static clamping mechanism to a dynamic rolling mechanism. The roller element can rotate along the needle shaft, enabling the needle to move relative to the driver while maintaining secure engagement. This dynamic interaction allows the needle to be driven through tissue with controlled motion while the driver can be operated by left-handed surgeons without ergonomic constraints.
2Ease of manufacture
If current curved suture needles with smooth profiles are used, then they can be easily manufactured, but they cannot securely fit within roller needle drivers and perform optimally with new needle driving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shaft features localized non-smooth regions with circumferential indentations and ridges at specific positions along its length. These localized features provide secure engagement with the roller driver grooves where needed, while other portions of the needle remain smooth for easy manufacture and tissue compatibility. This selective application of surface features resolves the contradiction between manufacturability and reliable engagement.
3Device complexity
If needles are designed for standard right-handed operation, then the device structure can be simplified, but left-handed surgeons face increased risk of incorrect maneuvering and negative patient outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The needle driver incorporates asymmetric features including a roller that can engage the needle at multiple orientations and positions. The roller's ability to rotate and the needle's non-smooth profile with circumferential features create an asymmetric interaction that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed surgical techniques. This asymmetric design maintains structural simplicity while enabling safe operation for surgeons of either handedness.
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing needle having a substantially circular cross-section and a non-smooth profile, and methods of suturing with the needle using a rotational needle driver. The profile of the needle may include a plurality of indentations that form protruding ridges along a longitudinal length of the needle. These ridges may match grooves within rollers of the needle driver. The suture needle may further include a tapered transition portion extending from a proximal end of the needle to cover at least a portion of a suture thread transition portion on the needle. The tapered transition portion is flexible and provides a smooth transition from the suture thread diameter to the needle diameter, so that the rollers may engage the needle in one smooth motion.