Finger-Guided Suture Fixation System for Intracorporeal Anchor Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intracorporeal suturing during surgery is challenging due to the difficulty in manipulating suturing instruments within the body, especially when the target location is difficult to reach and not visually accessible, requiring precise placement of sutures without direct visualization.
Innovation Solution
A suture fixation system comprising a finger-guided introducer with a zip line and a delivery device that allows the surgeon to palpate and precisely place an anchor at a target landmark within the body, even if it is not visible, by attaching the introducer to a finger and using a delivery device that moves along the zip line to insert the anchor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the surgeon uses finger to dissect tissue and form a space to palpate and identify target location, then the surgeon can locate the target landmark within the patient, but the space must be large enough to receive both finger and suturing instrument which increases incision size and tissue trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the surgical tool into separate components: the introducer (which fits on the finger) and the delivery device (which carries the anchor). This segmentation allows the finger to palpate tissue while the delivery device is guided through the same introducer, eliminating the need to enlarge the incision to accommodate both finger and instrument simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device is inserted through the introducer, which itself is worn on the finger. This nested configuration allows the finger to remain inside the patient's body for palpation while the delivery device is delivered through the same introducer, maintaining a small incision size while achieving both palpation and instrument delivery.
2Ease of operation
If the target location is disposed inside the patient's body at an angle that is difficult to reach, then the suture placement requires complex instrument manipulation, but the surgeon cannot visualize the target location to ensure accurate placement
Solution Approach 1:
The surgeon's finger serves dual purposes: it palpates to identify the target landmark and simultaneously guides the introducer and delivery device to the correct location. The finger provides tactile feedback and spatial orientation, eliminating the need for visual confirmation while ensuring accurate anchor placement at the target site.
3Reliability
If the surgeon manipulates suturing instruments within the confines of an incision, then the surgeon can deliver instruments to the target location, but the manipulation becomes challenging when the target is not visible and at difficult angles
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer acts as an intermediary device that is worn on the finger and extends into the patient's body. It provides a stable conduit that guides the delivery device to the target location, reducing the complexity of manipulating the delivery device through tight or angled incisions while maintaining accurate anchor placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture fixation system includes a suture assembly having an anchor, an introducer, and a delivery device. The introducer is attachable to a finger of a person and includes a platform attached to an exterior of the introducer and a zip line attached to the platform. The delivery device is movable along the zip line and configured to removably retain the anchor. The introducer allows the finger to identify a target landmark within a patient and the delivery device is movable along the zip line and attachable to the platform to position the anchor for insertion to the target landmark.