Endoscopic Suture Cinching Mechanism With Integrated Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for suturing and securing sutures lack efficient and reliable methods for cinching and cutting sutures, particularly in challenging environments like the GI tract and heart, and there is a need for alternative manufacturing and usage methods.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising a shaft, sleeve, cutter, and cinch member with a slidable inner shaft for cinching and cutting sutures, featuring a cutter that moves between distal and proximal positions to align openings and a cinch member that secures the suture through a friction fit, allowing for precise suture termination and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing suture securing devices are used, then sutures can be secured, but they may not effectively maintain the suture without coming undone in remote sites
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested structure where the cinch member is received within the cinch sleeve, which itself is positioned within the sleeve assembly. This nested configuration allows the device to be delivered through a compact form factor through the endoscope working channel while deploying an expanded functional structure at the remote site that reliably maintains the suture.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture securing device is divided into distinct functional segments: the cinch member that directly engages the suture, the cinch sleeve that receives and constrains the cinch member, and the outer sleeve assembly that provides structural support and delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to reliably maintain the suture in remote sites.
2Reliability
If a complex cinching mechanism is used to securely maintain sutures, then suture reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cinch member is designed with dynamic characteristics, including a compressible distal end that can be compressed by a predetermined amount to engage with the cinch sleeve. This dynamic engagement mechanism provides reliable suture securement through a relatively simple structural interaction between the cinch member and cinch sleeve, avoiding the need for complex multi-component locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used to achieve secure suture termination, then suture reliability improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines the cinching and cutting functions into a single integrated operational sequence. The inner shaft's distal end serves as a common actuator that, when moved proximally, simultaneously engages the cinch member with the cinch sleeve and positions the cutter to sever the suture. This merging of functions allows reliable suture termination through a simple single-action operation rather than requiring separate manual steps for cinching and cutting.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices for cinching and cutting one or more suture, and methods for making and using such devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a shaft, a sleeve attached to the shaft, cutter slidable within the sleeve, a cinch sleeve releasably coupled to the sleeve, and a cinch member. An elongated inner shaft may extend through and be longitudinally movable within the elongated shaft, sleeve, cutter, cinch sleeve, and cinch member. The inner shaft may be actuated to cinch and cut one or more suture disposed within the device.