Endoscopic Suture Arm Closure for Large Tissue Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic devices struggle to effectively close large tissue defects that are too large for hemostasis clips to bridge, such as those resulting from treatments like lesion removal, tunneling under the mucosal layer, full thickness tissue removal, and post-surgical issues.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with pivotable suture arms and latching features secured to an endoscope, allowing for the passage of a needle and suture through an arcuate path to close large defects, featuring control elements for precise manipulation and latching mechanisms to secure the needle during tissue suturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hemostasis clips are used to close tissue defects, then small defects can be closed effectively, but large defects cannot be bridged
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the closure function into multiple segments: two separate suture arms that can independently pivot and latch, allowing each arm to contribute to closing different portions of a large defect. This segmentation enables the device to handle larger defects by distributing the closure force across multiple latching points rather than relying on a single clip.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture arms are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of arm positions to accommodate defects of varying sizes and shapes. The ability to pivot and latch at different positions provides adaptability for closing both small and large defects effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If suture arms are made pivotable to accommodate large defects, then closure versatility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching features are integrated directly into the suture arms themselves rather than being separate components. The latching member and latching feature are combined within the arm structure, allowing the arm to both pivot and latch simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the pivotable design for accommodating large defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture arms serve multiple functions: they act as structural support elements, provide pivoting motion for position adjustment, and incorporate latching mechanisms for securing the needle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility for closing large defects.
3Manufacturing precision
If latching features are added to secure the needle, then suturing precision improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching features are designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the natural motion of the suture arm. When the arm pivots into the latching position, the latching member and latching feature automatically secure the needle without requiring separate manual actions. This self-latching mechanism maintains precision while simplifying the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is integrated into the dynamic pivoting motion of the suture arm. The latching features engage and disengage automatically as the arm moves between positions, allowing the operator to simply pivot the arm rather than manually loading and unloading the needle. This dynamic integration maintains securing precision while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a mounting structure that is adapted to be secured to a distal end of an endoscope. A first suture arm is pivotably secured to the mounting structure and is adapted to releasably secure a needle that is adapted to puncture tissue while accommodating a suture. A second suture arm is pivotably secured to the mounting structure and is adapted to releasably secure the needle. The first suture arm and the second suture arm cooperate to pass the needle back and forth therebetween along an arcuate path.