Integrated Endoscopic Suturing With Dual Imaging and Needle Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic suturing devices lack integrated visualization and navigation capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in suturing procedures and increased risk of infection due to complex, reusable scopes that are difficult to disinfect.
Innovation Solution
A suturing device with an elongate member and suture arm, integrated imaging devices, and a needle passer, allowing for precise suturing and tissue acquisition, along with a needle lock and sensor for secure needle retention, all within a single-use endoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a reusable endoscope is used for suturing procedures, then the device can be used multiple times, but the risk of infection increases due to difficulty in disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a single-use endoscopic suturing device that is discarded after one procedure. This eliminates the infection risk associated with reusing endoscopes, as each device is sterile and disposed of after use, preventing cross-contamination between patients while maintaining complete reusability functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate devices are used for visualization and suturing, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single endoscopic suturing device, combining the endoscope for visualization with the suturing mechanism in one unified instrument. This allows the procedure to be performed with a single device rather than requiring coordination between separate endoscope and suturing devices, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining optimized visualization and suturing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscopic suturing device is designed to perform multiple functions: visualization through the endoscope, tissue acquisition, needle passing, and suture deployment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate devices and simplifies the overall procedure while maintaining specialized capabilities for each function.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate instruments are used for tissue acquisition and suturing, then each instrument can be specialized, but the time required for the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines tissue acquisition, needle passing, and suture deployment functions into a single integrated device. This allows the surgeon to perform all these steps sequentially with one instrument rather than exchanging between multiple specialized instruments, significantly reducing the time required for the suturing procedure while maintaining the specialized capabilities needed for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for treating a tissue defect, for example, by suturing. In some embodiments, a suturing device may include an elongate member having a working channel, a suture channel, and a suture arm extending from the elongate member. The suturing device may further include a needle passer located within the working channel, the needle passer operable to deliver a needle between the elongate member and a distal end of the suture arm for suturing a target tissue, and a suture extending through the suture channel, wherein the suture is coupled to the needle. The suturing device may further include a plurality of imaging devices, wherein a first imaging device is positioned along a distal face of the elongate member, and wherein a second imaging device is positioned along the suture arm.