Endoscopic Suturing Device Single-Intubation Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic tissue suturing devices currently require multiple intubations to place multiple stitches, which can be time-consuming and invasive.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic suturing device with a movable tag locking clip and a suture tag catch mechanism that allows for the placement of multiple stitches during a single intubation, using a needle to penetrate tissue and a catch to securely retain and release the suture tag along a longitudinal pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single intubation is used to place multiple stitches, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture tag catch mechanism is nested within the suturing device capsule, with the tag locking clip integrated into the catch structure. The needle passes through the catch assembly, and the suture tag is nested within the locking mechanism. This nested arrangement allows multiple stitches to be placed during a single intubation while keeping the device structure manageable by efficiently utilizing internal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag locking clip is designed to be movable along the pathway of the needle, transitioning between locked and unlocked positions. The locking fingers are movable in a direction transverse to the pathway, allowing dynamic engagement and disengagement of the suture tag. This dynamic mechanism enables multiple stitches to be placed and secured during a single intubation procedure.
2Reliability
If a movable tag locking clip with transverse locking fingers is used, then reliability of suture retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate movable tag locking clip component that can engage and disengage independently from the needle pathway. The locking fingers are separate elements that can move transversely to grip or release the suture tag. This extraction of the locking function into a dedicated mechanism improves reliability by providing specialized retention structures while maintaining reasonable device complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag locking clip acts as an intermediary between the needle and the suture tag, providing a controlled mechanism for retention and release. The locking fingers serve as intermediaries that physically engage with the suture tag to secure it during the suturing process. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable suture retention while allowing controlled release when needed.
3Ease of operation
If multiple locking fingers movable in transverse direction are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking fingers are designed to move dynamically in a direction transverse to the needle pathway, allowing them to open and close to engage or release the suture tag. This transverse movement provides ease of operation by enabling simple engagement through natural finger closure and controlled release through opening motion, while the compact transverse arrangement keeps the added complexity minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag locking clip with its movable locking fingers serves multiple functions: it captures the suture tag during needle passage, secures it for tissue suturing, and allows controlled release. This multi-functional design improves ease of operation by consolidating multiple operations into a single mechanism, while the universal applicability of the locking fingers to different suture configurations reduces the need for additional specialized components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscopic suturing device that can be employed to suture tissue using endoscopic techniques to place one or more stitches in tissue during a single intubation of an endoscope. The suturing device may include a suturing capsule with a suction chamber that is configured to capture tissue that is to be sutured. A needle is movable along a pathway across the suction chamber to penetrate and place stitches in the captured tissue. A catch is located distal to the suction chamber to receive and retain the suture during a stitching sequence. The catch may be movable along the needle pathway and configured to release the suture when the catch moves a predetermined distance along the pathway. The catch may be configured so that a predetermined amount of force is required to move the catch the predetermined distance required to release the suture.