Knot Placement Device for Rapid Suture Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in efficiently tying and cinching sutures, especially in areas with restricted access, such as the end of a tissue tract leading to an artery, due to the difficulty in handling sutures, which increases the time required for closure.
Innovation Solution
A knot placement device with a handle and shaft, featuring an actuator that advances a push rod to secure suture portions within a knot body, allowing for rapid and secure knot placement and severing of the sutures, facilitating faster closure of incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual knot-tying methods are used, then the surgeon has full control over the suture, but the procedure time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The knot is pre-formed on the distal end of the delivery device shaft before insertion. The suture is threaded through the pre-formed knot structure, and the knot is then deployed to the tissue site where it is cinched by retracting the device. This preliminary preparation of the knot structure eliminates the time-consuming manual knot-tying step during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
A delivery device with a shaft and actuator mechanism serves as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the suture. The device includes a push rod that advances to cinch the pre-formed knot, and a cutter that severs the suture. This intermediary mechanism automates the knot-tying and cutting process, significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining control.
2Ease of operation
If manual suture handling is used, then the surgeon can adjust the knot placement, but the difficulty of handling increases in restricted access areas
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device combines multiple functions into a single instrument: it delivers the pre-formed knot, cinches the knot by retracting the shaft, and severs the suture using an integrated cutter. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall procedure by replacing multiple manual steps with a single device operation, improving ease of operation in restricted access areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service functions through its automated mechanism. When the actuator is activated, the push rod automatically advances to cinch the knot and the cutter automatically severs the suture without requiring manual manipulation. This self-service capability reduces the skill level and dexterity required for the surgeon, making the procedure easier to perform.
3Reliability
If traditional knot-tying methods are used, then the suture can be securely tied, but the effort and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The knot is pre-formed with a secure structure on the distal end of the shaft before insertion. This pre-formed knot is designed to be cinched reliably when the push rod advances, ensuring secure closure without requiring time-consuming manual manipulation. The preliminary preparation of the knot structure maintains reliability while improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical knot-tying process is replaced with a mechanically actuated system. The actuator-driven push rod provides controlled cinching force to secure the knot, and the integrated cutter provides clean suture severing. This mechanical substitution maintains knot security while dramatically improving closure efficiency by eliminating manual dexterity requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A knot placement device allows a physician to apply a knot for securing two or more suture ends extending from an incision in a vessel or organ of a patient relative to each other in order to seal an opening in the vessel or organ. The knot placement device has a handle and an elongate shaft and a push rod slidably inserted in said shaft. A knot is disposed in the distal end of the shaft. An actuator on the handle may be depressed to distally advance said push rod relative to said shaft and thereby distally advance said knot. The knot may include a knot body having an inner cavity and a plug sized to fit securely within the inner cavity. In use, the plug may be inserted into the inner cavity of the knot body to fixedly hold two or more suture ends between the knot body and the plug.