Oval Cross-Section Curved Hollow Needle for Surgical Sewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical sewing instruments with curved hollow needles face difficulties in pushing stiffened thread ends through the needle due to jamming, requiring larger lumen diameters which result in increased tissue trauma during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A needle attachment with a curved hollow needle featuring an oval cross-section, where the longer axis aligns with the bending plane, allowing the stiffened thread end to pass without wedging, and the flat oval sides absorb deformation forces, reducing the need for thicker walls and minimizing tissue trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a circular cross-section hollow needle is used, then the thread can be pushed through the needle attachment, but the stiffened end section becomes jammed in highly curved needles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread passageVSAvoidstiffened end section passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by changing the needle cross-section from circular to oval. The oval cross-section has different dimensions in different directions, with the longer axis providing extra space for the stiffened thread end to navigate curves without jamming, while the shorter axis maintains adequate structural integrity. This asymmetric geometry resolves the contradiction by allowing reliable passage of stiffened ends through highly curved needles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If a larger lumen diameter is provided to accommodate stiffened thread ends, then the stiffened end section can move round the curve, but the needle becomes thicker causing large-size puncture site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffened end section passageVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing enlarged lumen space only in the specific direction needed for thread passage (along the longer axis of the oval cross-section), while maintaining smaller dimensions in the perpendicular direction (shorter axis). This localized enlargement allows stiffened thread ends to navigate curves without jamming while minimizing the overall needle thickness and resulting tissue trauma during puncture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the lumen is enlarged to allow stiffened thread ends to pass, then the thread can be pushed through, but the needle wall thickness must be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffened end section passageVSAvoidneedle wall thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The oval cross-section distributes wall thickness asymmetrically, with thicker walls along the shorter axis providing structural strength and thinner walls along the longer axis where the enlarged lumen accommodates the stiffened thread end. This asymmetric wall thickness distribution maintains needle strength while enabling reliable passage of stiffened thread ends through highly curved configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9247937B2Needle attachment for a surgical sewing instrument

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

A needle attachment for a surgical sewing instrument has a proximal-side connector for connecting to a sewing instrument. The needle attachment has a hollow shaft-like body which has a curved hollow needle on the distal side. A thread can be guided through the needle attachment. The cross-section of the curved hollow needle is oval.