Reversible Surgical Suturing Device with Bidirectional Drive

The suturing device incorporates a universal spool storage system that can accommodate multiple types of suturing materials (absorbable and non-absorbable sutures in various sizes) within a single device. The spool compartment is designed with universal compatibility features allowing surgeons to switch between different suture types without requiring multiple specialized devices, thereby achieving multi-functionality while managing complexity through standardized interfaces.

The device employs a nested structure where the spool of suturing material is contained within the hollow shaft, and the needle carrier is integrated into the distal end of the shaft. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to be compactly organized within the handheld device, enabling storage of multiple suture materials without proportionally increasing the external device size or operational complexity.

The spool rotation mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic controlled rotation state through the squeezing action. When the surgeon squeezes the handles, the drive rod rotates the spool to release suture material at controlled rates. The system dynamically adjusts between locked (high reliability) and rotating (high productivity) states based on surgical needs, with the squeezing force controlling the rotation speed and suture release rate.

The device incorporates a feedback mechanism where the surgeon's manual squeezing action directly controls the spool rotation. The mechanical feedback through the drive rod allows the surgeon to sense and control the suture release rate in real-time, preventing unwanted release while maintaining the ability for rapid deployment when needed. The spring-loaded mechanism provides tactile feedback about the spool's rotation state.

The bidirectional rotation control is achieved through the surgeon's own hand movements. By squeezing the handles together in different directions or with varying force, the surgeon self-controls the rotation direction without requiring separate control mechanisms for each direction. The mechanical advantage system translates simple hand squeezing motions into precise bidirectional rotation of the drive rod and needle carrier, making the complex function accessible through natural hand movements.

The handle design incorporates curved, ergonomic surfaces that fit the natural contours of the hand. The triangular arrangement of handles with curved surfaces allows the surgeon's fingers to naturally apply force in multiple directions, enabling bidirectional control through intuitive hand positioning rather than complex mechanical switches or buttons. The curved geometry of the handles guides the direction of applied force.

The needle and spool are pre-assembled as a sterile cartridge unit before surgery. The removable needle carrier allows the entire pre-sterilized assembly to be inserted or exchanged as a single unit, minimizing the time the internal components are exposed to non-sterile environments. This preliminary preparation of sterile assemblies reduces contamination risk while maintaining the ability to exchange different needle and spool combinations.

The needle is nested within the conical cap of the needle carrier, and the spool is nested within the cylindrical part, creating a protected internal structure. This nested arrangement shields the suturing materials from contamination during storage and exchange. The hollow shaft provides an additional protective barrier, allowing the sterile internal components to be exchanged without exposing them to the external non-sterile environment.