Endoscopic Stitching Needle With Movable Segments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic suturing procedures face challenges due to the spatial limitations of cannulas, which restrict the use of long needles necessary for suturing thicker tissues, limiting the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Innovation Solution

The development of endoscopic stitching needles with movable end portions that can pivot and lock into an aligned configuration, allowing them to be advanced through small access devices while maintaining a minimal profile for insertion and extending for suturing, enabling the use of longer needles for thicker tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If long needles are used for suturing thicker tissues, then the effectiveness of suturing thicker tissues is improved, but the needle cannot be advanced through small cannulas due to spatial limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle lengthVSAvoidadvancement through cannula

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is divided into multiple segments or portions that can move relative to each other. The first portion is movable relative to the second portion, allowing the needle to be compacted for insertion through small cannulas and then extended to full length for suturing thicker tissues at the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle transitions from a static, fixed-length structure to a dynamic, variable-length structure. The movable first portion can be positioned in different configurations (retracted or extended) relative to the second portion, enabling the needle to adapt its length based on whether it is being inserted or used for suturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the needle is kept compact for insertion through small cannulas, then the ease of insertion is improved, but the needle length is reduced preventing suturing of thicker tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion through cannulaVSAvoidneedle length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first portion of the needle is nested within or alongside the second portion during insertion, allowing the entire needle assembly to fit through small cannulas. Once positioned, the first portion can be extended or deployed to achieve the full working length needed for suturing thicker tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the needle structure is made movable with multiple portions, then the ability to suturing thicker tissues is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to suture thicker tissuesVSAvoidneedle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Only the necessary portions of the needle (the first and second portions) are made movable relative to each other, while other parts of the stitching device remain simple and stationary. This localized application of complexity achieves the capability to suture thicker tissues without making the entire device overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11779326B2Stitching device with long needle

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A needle for use with an endoscopic stitching device includes a first end portion that is movable relative to a second end portion to allow the needle to convert from a first, mis-aligned orientation to a second, aligned orientation, thereby allowing the length of the needle in the aligned orientation to exceed the height of an end effector.