Pivoting Suture Clamping Structure for Small-Wound Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suturing tools are difficult to insert through small wounds in minimally invasive surgery, hindering efficient suturing operations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a handle, shaft, clamping portion, and control mechanism that allows the clamping portion to switch between closed and opened positions, enabling suturing and knotting operations through a wound opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional suturing tools are used, then suturing operations can be performed, but the tools cannot be inserted through small wounds in minimally invasive surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping portion is designed with a nested structure where the closing member can pivot within the hook structure. The closing member nests inside the hook when in the closed position, allowing the entire clamping portion to have a compact profile that can pass through small wound openings while still providing full suturing functionality when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping portion transitions from a static conventional tool to a dynamic structure with the closing member that can pivot between open and closed positions. This dynamic capability allows the tool to be inserted in a compact state and then opened to perform suturing operations, resolving the contradiction between small insertion size and operational functionality
2Ease of operation
If the hook is exposed without a closing member, then suture can be easily hooked, but tissues or organs may be damaged when the clamping portion is displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member is designed to pivot and close over the hook before any harmful displacement can occur. This preliminary protective action prevents the hook from contacting and damaging tissues or organs by creating a closed protective barrier that can be activated as soon as the clamping portion is positioned near sensitive structures
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member acts as an intermediary between the hook and the patient's tissues. When the closing member is in the closed position, it mediates the interaction by preventing direct contact between the hook and tissues, thus protecting organs while still allowing the hook to perform its suturing function when needed
3Productivity
If the clamping portion is kept in opened position to hook suture, then suturing operations can be performed, but the hook may accidentally hook and damage tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member provides dynamic control over the hook's exposure state. The operator can quickly transition between open (for suturing) and closed (for safety) positions, enabling efficient suturing operations while maintaining high reliability through immediate protective closure if accidental tissue contact is anticipated
Solution Approach 2:
The design provides mechanical feedback through the control mechanism that connects the operator's hand to the closing member. This feedback loop allows the operator to sense tissue proximity and respond by closing the member, creating a reliable safety mechanism that works in conjunction with suturing operations
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device has a handle, a shaft connecting to the handle, a clamping portion disposed on one end of the shaft different from the end connected to the handle, a hook fixedly connected to the shaft and a closing member pivotally connected to the hook, and a control mechanism mounted on the handle and extending through the shaft and connect to the clamping portion, wherein the control mechanism controls the pivoting of the closing member to switch the clamping portion between a closed position and an opened position.