Flexible Suture Needle for Rotational Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional suture needles are not designed to work optimally with new ergonomic rotational action needle drivers, leading to potential damage to the needles or the drivers due to the static relationship between the needle and driver, and pose difficulties for left-handed surgeons due to right-handed design.
Innovation Solution
A suture needle with a flexible portion and a tapered transition portion that allows smooth loading onto the needle driver without opening the rollers, enabling dynamic movement and accommodating left-handed use, featuring a needle tip, body, and extension with a tapered transition from the needle body to the suture thread for secure and damage-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional rigid suture needle is used with a rotational needle driver, then the needle can maintain structural strength, but the needle and driver cannot move relative to each other causing damage to the needle or driver
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed with a flexible portion that allows dynamic movement and rotation relative to the needle driver during the suturing procedure. This flexible section enables the needle to adapt to the rotational motion of the driver while maintaining adequate structural strength through its material composition and geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is divided into distinct segments: a rigid needle tip portion for piercing tissue, a flexible intermediate portion for relative movement with the driver, and a swaged end for suture attachment. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while resolving the contradiction between strength and flexibility.
2Strength
If a swaged needle with a step or lip is used, then the suture can be securely attached to the needle, but the swage may be damaged by the rollers or the rollers may be damaged by the swage
Solution Approach 1:
A tapered ramp structure is provided that extends from the swaged end and covers the thread attachment component. This ramp acts as a cushioning element that allows the rollers to smoothly transition over the swage without causing damage to either the rollers or the suture thread, while the swage itself maintains secure suture attachment.
3Strength
If a static relationship between needle and driver is maintained, then the needle can be firmly clamped, but the procedure time increases and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion of the needle enables dynamic interaction between the needle and driver, allowing the needle to move and rotate with the driver during insertion and manipulation. This reduces friction and resistance, thereby decreasing procedure time while maintaining adequate clamping firmness through the flexible section's mechanical properties.
4Ease of operation
If a right-handed needle driver design is used, then the device can be optimized for right-handed users, but left-handed surgeons experience difficulties with maneuvering and locking
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible needle design allows the needle to adapt its orientation and movement in response to the driver's rotation, enabling left-handed surgeons to effectively use the right-handed driver design. The flexibility compensates for the handedness mismatch by allowing the needle to move freely relative to the driver during manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a suturing needle having a flexible portion extending from a proximal end of the needle to provide flexure of the needle. Various designs for the flexible portion of the suturing needle are provided.