Interlocking Suture Guide for Precise Wound Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current suturing methods are inefficient and imprecise, particularly in placing sutures at optimal distances from wounds, which can impede wound healing and increase the risk of tissue damage during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A suture guide system comprising two interlocking parts with needle portions that can be adjusted to form needles, allowing for precise placement of sutures at optimal distances from wound edges, facilitating rapid and accurate suturing by forming a series of punctures and guiding sutures through them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional suturing methods are used, then the suturing process is simple, but the precision of suture placement is poor and wound closure time is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuture placement precisionVSAvoidsuture guide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suture guide is divided into two separate parts: a first part with first needle portions and a second part with second needle portions. These parts can be joined together to form complete needles with lumens, or used separately to create multiple puncture points. This segmentation allows precise positioning of sutures at optimal distances from wound edges while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be adapted to different wound configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional single-needle suturing to a multi-dimensional approach by providing multiple needle portions arranged in specific patterns. The first and second needle portions, when joined, create three-dimensional needle structures with lumens that can be positioned at various depths and angles, enabling precise suture placement in complex wound geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If traditional suturing methods are used, then the equipment is simple, but the wound closure time is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound closure speedVSAvoidsuture guide system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suture guide is designed with pre-positioned needle portions that are already configured at optimal distances from the wound edges before the suturing procedure begins. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for manual measurement and positioning during surgery, significantly加快ing the wound closure process while maintaining consistent precision across different procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first needle portions and second needle portions are designed to join together to form complete needles with continuous lumens. This merging creates functional three-dimensional needle structures that can pass suture material through multiple tissue layers simultaneously, enabling faster wound closure compared to traditional sequential suturing methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If sutures are placed too close to wound edges, then suture placement is simple, but tissue damage increases and wound healing is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuture placement easeVSAvoidtissue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suture guide acts as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the wound tissue. It provides pre-calculated spacing configurations that automatically position sutures at optimal distances from wound edges, eliminating the need for surgeons to manually judge appropriate spacing. This intermediary structure prevents both under-spacing (which causes tissue damage) and over-spacing (which impedes healing), while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3592249B1Suture guide and related parts and kits
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 UNITY HEALTH TORONTO
  • EP3592249B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3592249B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5C
  • EP3592249B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A suture guide includes a first part having a first base piece and a plurality of first needle portions joined to the first base piece. Each first needle portion has a respective first needle portion sidewall. The suture guide further includes a second part having a second base piece and a plurality of second needle portions joined to the second base piece. Each second needle portion has a respective second needle portion sidewall. The first part and second part are moveable between a separated configuration and a joined configuration. In the separated configuration, the first needle portions are spaced away from the second needle portions. In the joined configuration, each one of the first needle portions is positioned adjacent and cooperates with a respective one of the second needle portions to form a needle.