Needle-Free Suture Placement Device for Laparoscopic Trocar Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic surgery techniques face challenges in efficiently and safely closing tissue defects created by trocar ports, particularly in maintaining pneumoperitoneum and protecting abdominal cavity contents during the closure process, as existing methods often require exposed sharps and pre-loaded sutures.
Innovation Solution
A suture placement device with an elongated body and deployable stylet guides and a pivot bar mechanism that creates suture paths without exposed sharps, allowing for the secure placement of sutures through the abdominal wall, enabling knot tying above the fascia to close the trocar insertion site effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture placement methods are used, then tissue closure can be achieved, but exposed sharps and pre-loaded sutures are required increasing safety risks and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the exposed sharp needles from the suture placement system. Instead of using traditional needle-and-suture assemblies where sharp needles are exposed, the invention uses a needle-free suture placement mechanism where sutures are loaded through a cannula and placed through tissue using a pushing mechanism, thereby removing the source of safety risks while maintaining closure functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading sutures into the cannula before insertion. The suture is prepared and positioned within the cannula in advance, allowing the device to be inserted into the tissue defect already containing the suture material, eliminating the need for exposed sharps during the placement process
2Reliability
If traditional closure methods are used, then tissue defects can be closed, but maintaining pneumoperitoneum becomes difficult during the closure process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the suture placement cannula inside the existing trocar port structure. The device is inserted through the existing access site and nested within the abdominal cavity environment, allowing closure to be performed while maintaining the established pneumoperitoneum without requiring additional manipulation that would compromise gas pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the cannula as an intermediary tool that bridges the external environment and the internal abdominal cavity. This intermediary structure allows sutures to be delivered through the tissue defect while preserving the pneumoperitoneum, as the cannula provides a controlled pathway that doesn't compromise the gas pressure needed for visualization
3Reliability
If traditional suture placement is used, then tissue closure can be achieved, but protection of vital structures and healthcare providers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of exposed sharp needles into a benefit by using a blunt, needle-free pushing mechanism. The same force that would traditionally be applied by sharp needles is now delivered through a blunt tip that pushes tissue apart without creating sharp protrusions, thereby maintaining closure strength while eliminating the risk of needlestick injuries to healthcare providers and potential damage to vital structures
Data Source
AI summary
A suture placement device provides a lateral extension element, such as a slotted t-bar or wings, which is inserted into a trocar and deployed to position receptor ports about 1 cm from the trocar. The trocar is removed, and stylet guides are deployed to create a path from the housing to the receptor ports, thereby creating a suture path with segments from the outside of the device to each port, and between ports. A stylet is inserted through the suture path, and used to pull a suture of choice through the path. A stylet guide has a partially extended position to permit precise intra-muscular location of an anesthetic injection before being fully deployed. The t-bar is rotated back to a vertical position to permit removal to of the suture placement device so that the suture can be tied.