Microwave Tissue Suturing Device for Endoscopic Coagulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instruments for suturing tissues require lengthy operations, sophisticated skills, and often leave foreign matter in the surgical region, as they rely on traditional stitching or stapling, which is not suitable for endoscopic surgery and is complex in design.

Innovation Solution

A tissue suturing device with crushing and projecting sections that apply microwaves to coagulate and fix tissue edges, eliminating the need for traditional suturing by bringing tissue fragments into contact or overlap and applying microwaves to coagulate and fix them under pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical stitching or stapling is used to suture tissues, then tissue edges can be joined and fixed, but the operation time becomes lengthy and foreign matter remains in the surgical region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue fixationVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stitching system (needles and threads) or stapling system with a microwave-based thermal coagulation system. The microwave suturing device uses electromagnetic energy to generate heat within the tissue, causing protein denaturation and coagulation that bonds tissue edges together, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and significantly reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of tissue through controlled microwave heating. By adjusting microwave power, duration, and focal point, the tissue undergoes controlled thermal transformation from raw state to coagulated state, creating strong bonds without mechanical intervention. This parameter-based control enables rapid suturing while maintaining tissue integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional surgical stitching is used to suture tissues, then tissue edges can be joined, but sophisticated surgical skill is required and foreign matter remains in the surgical region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue fixationVSAvoidsurgical skill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stitching system (needles and threads) or stapling system with a microwave-based thermal coagulation system. The microwave suturing device uses electromagnetic energy to generate heat within the tissue, causing protein denaturation and coagulation that bonds tissue edges together, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and significantly reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The microwave suturing device enables the tissue to bond itself through controlled thermal coagulation. The microwave energy induces internal heating that causes the tissue proteins to denature and fuse together automatically, without requiring the surgeon to manually manipulate needles or threads. This self-bonding mechanism simplifies the surgical procedure and reduces the skill barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a stapler is used to eliminate the need for threaded needle suturing, then operation time is reduced, but foreign matter (stapler) remains in the surgical region and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuturing speedVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stitching system (needles and threads) or stapling system with a microwave-based thermal coagulation system. The microwave suturing device uses electromagnetic energy to generate heat within the tissue, causing protein denaturation and coagulation that bonds tissue edges together, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and significantly reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the foreign matter component (staples or stitches) from the suturing process. Instead of inserting mechanical fasteners into the tissue, the microwave device creates internal thermal bonds that hold the tissue together without any extraneous materials remaining in the surgical site, thus removing the need for staple removal or suture extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If traditional stitching or stapling is used to suture tissues, then tissue edges can be joined, but it is impossible to perform the operation through an endoscope

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue closureVSAvoidendoscopic operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stitching system (needles and threads) or stapling system with a microwave-based thermal coagulation system. The microwave suturing device uses electromagnetic energy to generate heat within the tissue, causing protein denaturation and coagulation that bonds tissue edges together, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and significantly reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from mechanical spatial manipulation (requiring direct access and manipulation of needles/staples) to electromagnetic field application. Microwaves can be delivered through flexible catheters or endoscopic instruments, allowing energy to reach the target site through the endoscope channel without requiring complex mechanical maneuvering, thus enabling minimally invasive access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables rapid and effective suturing with reduced operational time, achieving tissue closure similar to traditional stitching without leaving foreign matter, suitable for various biological tissues and applications like intestinal tracts, and is operable in limited spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a projecting section including a central conductor and/or an external conductor for applying a microwave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

coagulate and fix the pushed contact or overlap portions with the microwave, thereby being capable of suturing the tissues to be sutured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Implementation Method 3

the projecting section and the crushing section bring fragmentary portions of tissues to be sutured into contact or overlap with each other, push the tissues into small holes under pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2792327B1Tissue suturing device

Publication Date: 2018.10.24 NAT UNIV CORP SHIGA UNIV OF MEDICAL SCI

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

Provided is a surgical instrument that is substitutable for an operation of placing each stitch with a threaded needle or a stapler. It is confirmed that, in a tissue suturing device including a crushing section, and a projecting section including a central conductor and/or an external conductor for applying a microwave, the projecting section and the crushing section bring fragmentary portions of tissues to be sutured into contact or overlap with each other, and coagulate and/or fix contact or overlap portions with the microwave, to thereby stitch the tissues to be sutured.