Knot Pusher for Laparoscopic Port Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laparoscopic surgeons face challenges in closing surgical ports due to limited dexterity and reach, especially in obese patients, as existing knot pusher devices are cumbersome and inadequate for deep, narrow incisions, leading to potential complications like herniation and infection.

Innovation Solution

A specialized knot pusher device with a head portion having suture guide inlets and retainers, and a coupling member for releasable connection to a suturing device, designed to facilitate precise placement and tightening of suture knots within the incision, addressing the limitations of existing devices by providing enhanced functionality and compatibility with laparoscopic procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If surgeons use their fingers to push suture knots into the incision, then the procedure is simple and requires no additional tools, but the surgeon is limited by finger length and thickness and cannot properly place knots deep down in obese patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of knot placementVSAvoidreach depth into incision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized knot pusher device as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the suture knot. This device includes a shaft with a specific length and diameter that can be inserted deep into the incision through the fatty tissue layer, allowing the surgeon to push knots to the required depth without using their fingers directly. The device acts as a mediator that overcomes the physical limitations of human fingers while maintaining surgical control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If existing knot pusher devices are used, then they can provide some reach into the incision, but they are cumbersome and inadequate for deep, narrow incisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereach depth into incisionVSAvoidcumbersomeness of device

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise dimensional parameters for the knot pusher device to optimize its performance. The shaft has a length of about 15-30 cm and a diameter of about 0.5-1.5 cm, which are carefully selected to provide sufficient reach into deep incisions while maintaining a slender profile that can navigate narrow surgical pathways. These parameter changes transform the device from a generic tool into a specialized instrument tailored for laparoscopic port closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The knot pusher device is segmented into distinct functional components: a shaft for insertion and reach, a head portion for contacting and pushing the knot, and a coupling member for attachment to the suture delivery device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall device manageable and not overly cumbersome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the fascia layer is sutured closed to properly close the laparoscopic port, then wound strength and herniation prevention are improved, but the deep location of the fascia layer limits surgeon visibility, dexterity and reach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure strengthVSAvoidsurgeon dexterity and reach

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The specialized knot pusher device serves as an intermediary that extends the surgeon's capability to reach and manipulate the fascia layer. By inserting the device through the incision to the depth of the fascia layer, the surgeon can push suture knots to the correct position deep within the incision, maintaining visibility and dexterity that would be impossible with direct finger manipulation alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the incision is made smaller to reduce scarring and improve cosmetic outcomes, then patient appearance and morbidity are improved, but the surgical port becomes narrower and harder to access for knot placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescarring and cosmetic outcomeVSAvoidaccessibility to incision interior

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The knot pusher device is designed with a slender shaft having a small diameter (about 0.5-1.5 cm) that can be inserted through narrow laparoscopic ports. This parameter optimization allows the device to access the incision interior through small surgical openings, maintaining the benefits of small incisions for reduced scarring while providing sufficient reach to push knots to the required depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11771415B2Specialized knot pusher for surgical port closure and suturing devices

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 NEW WAVE ENDO SURGICAL CORP

AI summary

A knot pusher device for surgical port closure includes a head portion having at least one suture guide inlet and at least one suture retainer, the head portion being configured to contact a suture knot inside an incision to close a portion of a surgical port made by the incision, and a coupling member operatively connected to the head portion, the coupling member enabling releasable connection of the knot pusher device to a suturing device.