Endoscopic Suture Needle Arcuate Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for gastric reduction, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, are invasive and time-consuming, requiring significant operative time and post-operative recovery, with a need for more efficient and minimally invasive methods for applying sutures during endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic suturing device with a drive assembly that moves a needle about an arcuate path, facilitated by a friction camming member, allowing for continuous suture application through a suture housing designed for insertion through natural orifices of varying diameters, enabling efficient suturing during gastric reduction surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional surgical procedures (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) are used for gastric reduction, then effective weight loss and treatment of morbid obesity complications are achieved, but operative time is excessive and post-operative recovery is lengthy and painful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical stapling devices with an endoscopic suturing device that uses a rotating needle mechanism to pass sutures through tissue. This substitution allows for continuous suture application through natural orifices, significantly reducing operative time and invasiveness compared to traditional open or laparoscopic stapling procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The suturing device utilizes a flexible endoscopic shaft that can navigate through natural orifices and body cavities. The thin-profile design allows insertion through small openings without requiring large incisions, thereby reducing trauma and accelerating post-operative recovery while maintaining access to target tissues for suturing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If endoscopic techniques are used for gastric reduction surgery, then invasiveness is reduced and recovery time is shortened, but the ability to apply sutures efficiently and continuously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous suture application mechanism where the needle rotates continuously to pass suture material through tissue in an unbroken sequence. This continuous action eliminates the need for repeated instrument insertions and manual suture tying, significantly improving suture application efficiency while maintaining the minimally invasive endoscopic approach
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-loads a length of suture material onto the rotating needle mechanism before insertion. This preliminary preparation allows the suture to be applied continuously without interruption once the device is in position, maximizing surgical efficiency while keeping the procedure minimally invasive
3Manufacturing precision
If a friction camming member is used to control needle movement about an arcuate path, then precise suture application is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an arcuate (curved) path for needle rotation, which naturally guides the needle through the tissue in a smooth, controlled manner. This curved geometry, combined with the friction camming member, provides precise positional control without requiring complex multi-axis actuators or robotic control systems, thereby maintaining relative device simplicity while achieving high precision
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 device enables efficient and minimally invasive suturing, reducing procedural time and recovery, allowing for precise application of sutures in gastric reduction surgery, adaptable for various tissue thicknesses and types, and compatible with different vacuum chamber configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a friction camming member that moves along the suture housing under the control of the drive mechanism, wherein actuation of the drive mechanism causes the friction camming member to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about the arcuate path
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, and a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue. The drive assembly includes a friction camming member that moves along the suture housing under the control of the drive mechanism, wherein actuation of the drive mechanism causes the friction camming member to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about the arcuate path.