Endoscopic Stitching Needle Loading Fixture with Shuttle Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for endoscopic suturing lack a simple and effective method to precisely position a surgical needle for receipt by a surgical suturing device, which is crucial for precise tissue manipulation during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A loading fixture with a shuttle, guides, and a biasing member is designed to securely position a surgical needle on an endoscopic stitching device, allowing the needle to engage with the device's jaws and include a spooling portion for suture management, enhancing usability and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a loading mechanism is provided to position a surgical needle for a suturing device, then needle positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading fixture is divided into distinct functional components: a body portion for holding the needle, a grip portion for user manipulation, a spooling portion for suture management, and a slot mechanism for needle transfer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable and not overly complex.
2Manufacturing precision
If a loading fixture with shuttle and guides is used to precisely position the needle, then needle alignment accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the loading operation. The user simply places the needle into the shuttle within the body portion, and the shuttle automatically guides the needle through the slot into the stitching device's jaws. The guides provide automatic alignment, eliminating the need for manual precision alignment by the user.
3Reliability
If a biasing member is added to bias the shuttle toward guides, then needle engagement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member provides a self-service function by automatically returning the shuttle to its initial position after needle transfer. This eliminates the need for manual resetting of the shuttle and ensures reliable engagement readiness for the next needle, all without requiring additional complex control mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a spooling portion is included for suture retention, then suture management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spooling portion is merged with the body portion of the loading fixture, allowing suture management to be integrated into the existing structure. The spooling portion provides a dedicated location for retaining and organizing the suture material, while sharing structural support and space with the needle-holding body portion, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
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
The loading fixture enables precise and efficient loading and swapping of needles, facilitating accurate suturing by ensuring the needle is correctly aligned and held by the device's jaws, thereby improving the precision and ease of use during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the shuttle toward one of the guides
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A loading fixture for use with an endoscopic stitching device includes a needle and a loading portion configured to receive jaws of the endoscopic stitching device. The loading portion includes a shuttle configured to detachably support the needle thereon. The shuttle is transversely slidable such that the needle supported on the shuttle engages at least one of the jaws of the endoscopic stitching device. The loading portion further includes guides to position the jaws of the endoscopic stitching device therebetween and a biasing member configured to bias the shuttle toward one of the guides.