Reusable Endoscopic Suture Cinch Applicator with Integrated Cutter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic suturing devices are limited in their ability to reuse the cinch applicator for multiple suture cinches during a surgical procedure, as they are designed as single-use devices due to the mechanism of securing the cinch onto the suture, which prevents further loading of new cinches.
Innovation Solution
A reusable suture cinch applicator system that includes a cinch loader, allowing the cinch applicator to be loaded with a first cinch, applied to secure a portion of suture, reloaded with a second cinch, and used to secure another portion of suture, facilitated by a cinch loader for easy orientation and alignment within the applicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-use cinch applicator is used to secure a cinch onto suture, then the cinch is reliably secured to the suture, but the applicator cannot be reused for loading additional cinches
Solution Approach 1:
The cinch applicator is divided into separable components: a reusable applicator body and a disposable cinch element. The applicator body includes a loading mechanism with a window and plunger that can be repeatedly used, while the cinch element is a separate component that is loaded, deployed, and discarded. This segmentation allows the applicator body to be reused while the cinch element is replaced for each new application.
Solution Approach 2:
The cinch element is nested within the applicator body during the loading phase. The cinch is positioned inside the applicator housing, concealed from external view, and held in place by the loading mechanism. When deployed, the cinch is pushed through the window and released from the applicator body. This nesting approach enables compact storage of the cinch within the reusable applicator while maintaining the ability to reload and reuse the applicator body.
2Reliability
If multiple cinches are applied during a surgical procedure, then complete suture securing is achieved, but multiple single-use applicators increase device complexity and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate and deploy multiple different cinch elements during a single surgical procedure. The standardized loading mechanism with window and plunger allows the same applicator body to be reused with various cinch types and sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized applicators and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the cinch element is discarded after use, while the applicator body is recovered and reused for subsequent cinch applications. This approach minimizes waste by preserving the more complex and expensive applicator mechanism while replacing only the simpler, less expensive cinch element. The recovered applicator body maintains its functional integrity and can be reloaded with new cinch elements.
3Measurement precision
If manual manipulation is required to apply each cinch, then precise positioning is achieved, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cinch element is designed to self-position and self-secure when pushed through the window by the plunger. The cinch's own structural features, such as its shape and material properties, enable it to automatically orient itself on the suture and secure itself without requiring additional manual manipulation steps. This self-service mechanism maintains positioning precision while significantly reducing the time required for each cinch application.
Solution Approach 2:
The cinch element is pre-formed with its final functional shape and structural characteristics before being loaded into the applicator. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the cinch is deployed, it is already in the correct configuration to position itself accurately on the suture without requiring complex real-time manipulation during the application process, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture cinch, cinch applicator, and cinch loader for loading the cinch into the applicator are provided and permit re-use of the applicator with multiple cinches during an endoscopic procedure. The applicator can be loaded with a first cinch, apply the first cinch onto a portion of suture to fix the portion of suture relative to anatomical tissue, reloaded with a second cinch optionally using the loader, and subsequently used to apply the second cinch to fix another portion of suture to fix the other portion of suture relative to anatomical tissue. The cinch is a unitary tubular member through which the suture can be advanced when the cinch is loaded within the applicator. The cinch defines multiple ribs and a cutter in a wall thereof. Operation of the applicator deforms the ribs inward to retain the cinch on the suture and displaces the cutter to sever the suture.