Parallel Jaw Suture Passer for Minimally Invasive Arthroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stitching devices, particularly in minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, face challenges in efficiently and accurately placing multiple sutures in difficult-to-reach regions with limited maneuverability, often requiring multiple instrument exchanges and additional space for instrument handling.
Innovation Solution
The development of continuous suture passer devices with parallel-opening jaws that can pass sutures in any position, featuring an extendable tissue penetrator and shuttle retainer system, allowing for multiple suture passes without reloading, and integrated mechanisms for controlled jaw motion and suture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional arthroscopic stitch passers with V-shaped jaws are used, then the device can pass sutures through tissue, but the protruding needle may become caught in tissue and maneuverability is limited in difficult to access regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional V-shaped jaw configuration to a parallel jaw arrangement. This inversion changes the geometric relationship between the jaws and the needle path, allowing the needle to remain recessed rather than protruding, thereby eliminating the needle catching problem while improving maneuverability in confined arthroscopic spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is nested within the jaw structure rather than protruding from it. The recessed needle is housed inside the jaw body, with only the tip exposed when needed for suture passage. This nesting approach prevents the needle from catching on tissue while maintaining the ability to penetrate and pass sutures effectively
2Productivity
If single-stitch arthroscopic instruments are used, then the device can make one suture pass, but multiple instrument exchanges and reloading are required for multiple stitches
Solution Approach 1:
The arthroscopic stitch passer is designed with multi-functionality to perform both suture passing and knot tying operations. The device can pass multiple sutures through the tissue and subsequently tie knots in the suture material, eliminating the need for separate knot-tying instruments and enabling continuous operation without instrument exchanges
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous suture passing operations without requiring withdrawal or reloading between stitches. The jaw mechanism can repeatedly open and close to pass multiple sutures through the tissue in sequence, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating idle time associated with instrument exchanges
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional space is provided for instrument maneuvering, then more instruments can be used simultaneously, but the surgical approach becomes less minimally invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated instrument. The arthroscopic stitch passer combines suture passing capability with knot-tying functionality, allowing both operations to be performed with one device rather than requiring multiple separate instruments, thereby reducing the number of instruments needed in the confined surgical space
Data Source
AI summary
A suture passer device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue penetrator which may penetrate through tissue positioned between the first and second jaws to carry a suture. Further, the device may include an actuator which may manipulate at least one of the first or second jaws and the tissue penetrator Additionally, the first and second jaws may be substantially parallel to one another at any position to which the at least one jaw is manipulated. Additionally, the tissue penetrator may travel along an arcuate path from a first position, recessed within the first jaw, to a second position where the tissue penetrator extends through the tissue to be positioned in communication with the second jaw.