Motorized Tissue Closure Device for Safe Sternotomy Sutures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sternotomy closure procedures are challenging due to manual manipulation of sharp suturing needles through dense bone, posing risks of accidental needle pricks, infection, and difficulty in handling inflexible wires, which can lead to complications such as bloodborne infections and heart vessel penetration.
Innovation Solution
A motorized tissue closure device with a pusher assembly and cartridge system that rotates a suturing needle with a pointed and blunt end, allowing for safe and efficient advancement through tissue, reducing manual handling and minimizing exposure to sharp edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual manipulation of sharp suturing needles is used, then suturing can be performed, but accidental needle pricks and infections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motorized drive mechanism as an intermediary between the surgeon and the suturing needle. The motorized system automatically drives the needle through tissue, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of the sharp needle. The surgeon operates the device through a control interface while the motorized system handles the needle advancement, thereby preventing accidental needle pricks and reducing infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of needle manipulation with an automated motorized drive mechanism. Instead of the surgeon directly handling and forcing the needle through tissue using hand strength and dexterity, the motorized system provides controlled mechanical force to drive the needle. This substitution eliminates the physical risk of needle pricks to the surgeon while maintaining effective suturing capability.
2Productivity
If manual suturing through dense bone is performed, then tissue closure can be achieved, but the procedure is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual needle forcing with a motorized drive mechanism that automatically drives the needle through dense bone and tissue. The motor provides sustained mechanical force capable of penetrating tough bone structures without requiring the surgeon to exert significant physical effort. This motorized approach dramatically reduces the time and difficulty associated with manual suturing through dense bone while maintaining effective tissue closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized drive mechanism enables continuous and consistent needle advancement through tissue without interruption. The motor maintains steady rotational motion and controlled penetration speed throughout the suturing process, eliminating the variability and fatigue associated with manual manipulation. This continuous automated action increases productivity by completing sutures faster and more reliably than manual methods.
3Reliability
If inflexible wire manipulation is performed manually, then sternum closure can be achieved, but the process is awkward and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized drive mechanism serves as an intermediary that handles the inflexible wire and needle assembly. Instead of the surgeon manually manipulating the rigid wire and needle through the chest cavity, the motorized system automatically advances the needle while the wire is fed through by the mechanical drive. This eliminates direct hand exposure to sharp, inflexible materials, reducing infection risk and making the procedure safer.
4Ease of operation
If sharp needle ends are exposed for manual manipulation, then suturing can be performed, but bloodborne infections may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized drive mechanism acts as a protective intermediary between the surgeon and the sharp needle. The system automatically controls needle advancement and retrieval, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually handle exposed sharp ends. The motorized control system reduces the risk of bloodborne infections by preventing direct contact between the surgeon's hands and potentially contaminated needle tips.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual needle handling with an automated motorized system that controls the entire needle lifecycle from insertion to retrieval. The motorized drive mechanism holds and positions the sharp needle ends within a controlled environment, preventing exposure to the external environment and reducing contamination risk. This automated mechanical system eliminates the need for manual manipulation of sharp, potentially infectious needle ends.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.