Guarded Blade Suture Removal Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture removal methods, such as using scissors or thermal filament tips, often cause discomfort and risk injury due to the need to insert cutting edges into the suture loop, and can disrupt healed wounds, especially in anxious or uncooperative patients.
Innovation Solution
A disposable guarded blade suture removal device that cuts sutures from the outside surface of the loop, minimizing the risk of injury and discomfort, and includes an adhesive tape for collecting removed sutures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If scissors or forceps are used to remove sutures by inserting the cutting edge into the suture loop, then the suture can be cut and removed, but it causes pain to the patient, potentially disrupts the healed incision, and requires substantial elevation of the suture loop away from the skin surface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the cutting edge into the suture loop from the inside (conventional method), the patent inverts the approach by cutting the suture from the outside surface. The guarded blade engages the suture at the skin surface and cuts it by moving outward, eliminating the need to elevate the loop and insert sharp edges into the wound area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guarded blade as an intermediary tool that bridges the cutting function and patient safety. The guard structure acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the sharp cutting edge and the patient's skin, allowing the cutting action to occur while maintaining a safe distance from the wound area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal filament tips are used to heat and cut sutures, then suture removal can be achieved without inserting cutting edges, but the thermal devices may damage the cut area, cause discomfort, burn injuries if they touch the skin, or deform plastic sutures making removal more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal cutting mechanism with a mechanical cutting system. Instead of using heat to cut the suture, a guarded blade with a sharp cutting edge performs the cutting action mechanically. This substitution eliminates thermal damage, burn risks, and suture deformation while maintaining effective suture severing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guarded blade is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to sterilize and reuse thermal filaments, reduces the risk of infection, and ensures a fresh sharp edge for each procedure, maintaining cutting efficiency without thermal hazards.
3Productivity
If scissors with sharp tips are used to cut sutures, then the suture can be severed, but the sharp tips and edges can cut or injure anxious or mobile patients, especially young children
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool is segmented into two distinct parts: a guarded blade for cutting and a handle for manipulation. The guard structure separates the sharp cutting edge from the operator's hand and the patient's skin, allowing efficient cutting while maintaining safety. This segmentation enables the cutting function to be isolated from the potentially harmful sharp edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard structure serves as an intermediary barrier between the sharp cutting edge and the patient. It allows the cutting action to occur while preventing direct contact between the sharp blade and the patient's skin, thus maintaining both cutting efficiency and patient safety simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The present device is a suture removal instrument having a disposable guarded blade. The disposable guarded blade comprises of a guard component and a blade component. The present suture removal instrument provides a quick, efficient, and atraumatic removal of the suture. It also decreases discomfort associated with suture removal by severing the suture loop without any need to insert an instrument or part of an instrument into the loop of the tied suture.