Powered Endoscopic Suturing Device Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic suturing devices face challenges in facilitating and expediting the suturing process, particularly in the small openings encountered during endoscopic surgery, where hand-held and hand-actuated devices are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A powered endoscopic stitching device with an actuation shaft, tool assembly featuring suture needles and jaws with needle engaging blades, and a drive assembly including electrical actuators and a microprocessor-controlled interface, allowing for precise control of jaw positions and needle engagement, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand-held and hand-actuated endoscopic stitching devices are used, then the suturing process can be performed through small openings, but the device operation becomes cumbersome and the suturing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical actuation system with an automated motorized drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor that automatically actuates the stitching mechanism, eliminating the need for manual hand-actuation through complex mechanical linkages. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated motor control directly resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation while simultaneously increasing suturing speed through automated rapid cycling of the stitching components.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated drive assembly enables the device to perform the suturing action autonomously without requiring continuous manual intervention. The motorized system self-regulates the movement of the stitching components through the tissue, allowing the device to service itself in completing the suturing cycle, thereby improving both operational ease and productivity.
2Device complexity
If manual endoscopic stitching devices are used, then the device structure can be simpler, but the precision and control of needle engagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs motorized actuation with controlled movement of the needle and tissue-grasping components. The motor drive system provides precise control over the timing and extent of needle engagement with the suture material, ensuring accurate and repeatable stitching. This automated mechanical control system achieves superior precision compared to manual operation while the integrated design keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
3Productivity
If automated powered suturing devices are implemented, then the suturing speed and precision are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a motorized drive assembly that automates the suturing process, significantly increasing suturing speed and precision. The motorized system controls the movement of the needle, tissue-grasping components, and suture material through coordinated actuation. While this increases device complexity compared to manual systems, the automation delivers substantial improvements in productivity and surgical efficiency that justify the added complexity in modern surgical applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables faster and more precise suturing by automating the opening and closing of jaws and reciprocating needle engaging blades, reducing operator effort and improving the speed of suturing in endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the first actuator operatively coupled with the actuation shaft to cause axial displacement of the actuation shaft, the axial displacement of the actuation shaft causing opening and closing of the pair of jaws
Implementation Method 2
the second and third actuators operatively coupled with the needle engaging blades to provide axial displacement of the needle engaging blades
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscopic stitching device includes an actuation shaft, a tool assembly, and a drive assembly. The tool assembly includes a suture needle and a pair of jaws transitionable between open and closed positions. Each jaw includes a needle engaging blade slidably supported thereon. Each needle engaging blade is transitionable between an extended position in which the needle engaging blade engages the suture needle and a retracted position in which the needle engaging blade is disengaged from the suture needle. The drive assembly includes first, second, and third electrical actuators. The first actuator is operatively coupled with the actuation shaft to cause axial displacement of the actuation shaft. The axial displacement of the actuation shaft causes opening and closing of the pair of jaws. The second and third actuators are operatively coupled with the needle engaging blades to provide axial displacement of the needle engaging blades.