Magnetic U-stitch Device for Tissue Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques for securing organs and tissues, such as U-stitches and T-fasteners, are inadequate for younger patients due to anatomical limitations and potential complications like erosion and embedding, necessitating an alternative anchoring method suitable for patients of all ages.
Innovation Solution
A medical suturing device utilizing hypodermic needles with magnetic tips and a magnetic retrieving probe to create a U-stitch by magnetically connecting and transferring sutures within the body, allowing for secure anchoring of tissues without the need for extensive tissue manipulation or risk of erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If curved needles with sutures are used to create U-stitches, then the stomach can be secured against the abdominal wall, but the method becomes unsuitable for patients with thick abdominal walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic intermediary system consisting of a magnet attached to the suture and a magnetic probe. This intermediary mechanism allows the suture to be delivered through long needles in patients with thick abdominal walls, overcoming the limitation of direct manual suture placement while maintaining secure anchoring effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If T-fasteners are used for anchoring, then patient size is not a limitation, but the fasteners may erode and embed into the stomach lining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical anchoring mechanism of T-fasteners with a magnetic field-based system. The magnet attached to the suture interacts with a magnetic probe to secure the stomach, eliminating the need for mechanical embedding into tissue while maintaining anchoring effectiveness across all patient sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If longer needles are used to reach the stomach cavity in patients with thick abdominal walls, then the procedure becomes more complex and riskier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the suture with attached magnet is contained within a delivery catheter, which is inserted through the long needle. The magnetic probe is separately inserted through a second needle. This nested arrangement organizes the complex components systematically, making the procedure more manageable despite the need for long needles in patients with thick abdominal walls.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively secures tissues with a U-stitch, providing a reliable and safe method for patients of all ages by leveraging magnetic attraction to form a loop and pull tissues closer to the abdominal wall, reducing the risk of complications associated with existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic tip of the one or more sutures and the magnetic tip of the magnetic retrieving probe have opposite polarities
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing device is made of two hypodermic needles allowing one or more sutures (at the same time) and a retrieval probe to be advanced into a cavity (e.g., a stomach cavity) of the patient. Both the suture and retrieval probes comprise magnets of opposite polarities on their leading ends. Thus, after the suture and retrieval probe are inside the stomach cavity, the suture and retrieval probe may mate and the suture may be transferred from one hypodermic needle to the other using magnetic attraction. In doing so, the suture forms a loop through the stomach. Once removed, this loop, having two ends that are positioned outside the patient's body, can be pulled tight in order to pull the stomach wall closer to the surface of the patient's body. With the stomach wall close to the surface of the patient's body, it is easier to insert a gastrostomy device.