Elastically Deformable Suture Needle for Smaller Trocar Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical instruments face challenges in using larger suture needles due to the size limitations of trocars, leading to inefficiencies and potential complications such as dehiscence and difficulty in attaching larger sutures to smaller needles.
Innovation Solution
A suture needle container system that includes a mandrel with an elongated slot for holding a suture needle, allowing it to be elastically deformed for passage through smaller trocars, and a needle driver with a clamping assembly to secure and advance the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If larger suture needles are used for closing surgical wounds and repairing anatomical features, then the quality of wound closure and anatomical repair is improved, but the ability to pass the needle through the trocar is worsened due to size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The suture needle is designed with dynamic shape-changing capabilities, transitioning from a compressed configuration that fits through the trocar to an expanded functional configuration at the surgical site. The needle body includes elastic or shape-memory material sections that allow it to deform elastically during insertion and then recover its original shape after passing through the trocar, enabling larger needles to pass through smaller openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle's physical parameters (shape, size, flexibility) are changed during the surgical procedure. The needle is introduced in a deformed state with altered geometric parameters to fit the trocar constraint, then undergoes parameter transformation to achieve the desired larger functional dimensions for effective tissue engagement and wound closure.
2Ease of operation
If smaller suture needles are used to pass through smaller trocars, then the ability to access the surgical site is improved, but the number of passes required and surgical procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The needle transitions from a static small size constrained by the trocar to a dynamic larger size at the surgical site, achieving both easy access and high productivity in a single procedure. The shape-changing capability allows the needle to effectively become larger when needed for tissue engagement while remaining small enough to pass through the trocar.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is prepared in advance with shape-memory materials or pre-configured elastic sections that enable it to automatically transform from a compact insertion configuration to an expanded working configuration, eliminating the need for multiple passes or needle exchanges during the surgical procedure.
3Ease of operation
If smaller suture needles are used with fine sutures, then the needle can pass through the trocar, but the cheese wire effect occurs where the suture cuts through the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The needle's dynamic shape-changing capability allows it to present a larger effective diameter when engaging the tissue, providing adequate bite distance and preventing the cheese wire effect. The needle expands or reforms after passing through the trocar to achieve the necessary dimensions for reliable tissue holding, while maintaining small dimensions only during the insertion phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the use of larger suture needles through smaller trocars, reducing the number of passes required and minimizing the risk of dehiscence, while maintaining a sterile environment and facilitating intuitive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
allowing it to be elastically deformed for passage through smaller trocars
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical method includes arranging a plurality of suture needle containers in a surgical environment, whereby at least one of the suture needle containers includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a distal end that is closed by an end wall, a suture needle disposed within the receptacle, and a cover sealing the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment for the suture needle inside the receptacle. The method includes causing a controller of a surgical robotic system to transmit input instructions to an electromechanical tool for breaching the cover for providing access to the suture needle disposed within the receptacle. After breaching the cover, a distal end of a surgical tool secures the suture needle for removing the secured suture needle from the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle.