Guidewire Suture Fixation for Deep Suturing Through Small Incisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive surgery, suturing tools face difficulty in extending deeply enough through small incisions to perform suturing effectively.
Innovation Solution
A surgical guidewire device comprising an outer tube and a guide needle with a needle eye structure, along with a guidewire block, is used to guide sutures through the incision, allowing for suture fixation and closure of interspaces without a large incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If minimally invasive surgery is performed with small incisions, then patient recovery time is shortened and incision size is reduced, but suturing tools cannot extend deeply enough to perform effective suturing
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested structure where the guide needle is disposed within the outer tube, and the inner tube can move relative to the outer tube. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be integrated within a compact delivery system that can be inserted through small incisions, while still providing the capability to perform deep tissue suturing by extending the guide needle beyond the outer tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes dynamic movement between the inner tube and outer tube, where the inner tube can be extended or retracted relative to the outer tube. This dynamic configuration allows the guide needle to be positioned at different depths, enabling both minimally invasive insertion through small incisions and effective deep tissue suturing when needed.
2Ease of operation
If traditional surgical incisions are made large enough for suturing tools, then effective suturing can be performed, but patient recovery time increases and incision size is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of the guide needle within the outer tube, and the inner tube within the outer tube, allows the entire suturing system to be delivered through a minimally invasive incision. The nested structure maintains all necessary suturing components in a compact form that can pass through small openings while preserving full suturing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the outer tube for delivery and protection, the inner tube for guiding the suture, and the guide needle for creating the suture path. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while being deliverable through a small incision as an integrated system.
3Length of moving object
If a guidewire device with movable inner tube is used, then suture guidance through small incisions is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the outer tube serves as both the delivery sheath and protective covering, the inner tube functions as both the guide for suture passage and the mechanism for controlling needle depth, and the guide needle is integrated with the inner tube assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure despite the movable inner tube mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube serves multiple functions: it guides the suture material, controls the extension depth of the guide needle, and can be manipulated to retrieve or reposition the needle. The outer tube simultaneously provides structural support, protects internal components during insertion, and serves as the interface for minimally invasive delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical guidewire device includes an outer tube and a guide needle. The outer tube has a needle tip formed at a tube distal end of the outer tube. The guide needle is movably disposed in the outer tube and has a needle eye structure. When the surgical guidewire device is in use, a suture extends through the needle eye structure, and is carried through the outer tube along with the needle eye structure as the guide needle is moved relatively toward the tube distal end and then away from the outer tube.