Rotatable Needle Suture Device for Mesh Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laparoscopic tackers face challenges in positioning and securing prosthetic mesh to the abdominal wall due to their rigid nature and limited access, often causing irritation and complications, while absorbable tacks provide insufficient holding strength.
Innovation Solution
A suturing device with a firing aperture and rotatable needles, coupled with a drive mechanism and stripper plate, allows for precise deployment and retraction of sutures to securely fasten tissue and prosthetic mesh with reduced irritation and improved holding strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laparoscopic tackers are used to fasten prosthetic mesh to the abdominal wall, then the mesh can be secured, but patient irritation and complications increase due to the rigid nature and limited access of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the fastening mechanism from rigid tacks to flexible sutures. The suturing device employs a needle that can rotate and deploy suture material that flexes with tissue movement, thereby maintaining mesh securing reliability while reducing patient irritation and complications associated with rigid tacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs absorbable suture material that is eventually absorbed by the body, replacing permanent metal tacks. This disposable approach reduces long-term irritation and complications while maintaining adequate holding strength during the healing period.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If absorbable tacks are used instead of metal tacks, then patient irritation is reduced, but tissue holding strength becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite approach combining absorbable suture material with a mechanical needle delivery system. The suture material itself provides flexibility and reduced irritation, while the needle delivery mechanism ensures proper deployment and initial holding strength until the suture gains full tensile strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid metal or simple absorbable polymers to advanced absorbable suture materials with optimized tensile strength profiles. These materials maintain adequate holding strength during the critical healing period while being absorbed afterward to eliminate long-term irritation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If suturing is performed via laparoscopic procedures, then minimally invasive benefits are achieved, but the complexity of the suturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an autoloading mechanism that automatically feeds and positions the suture material through the needle. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual suture handling and loading by the surgeon, thereby maintaining minimally invasive benefits while reducing the complexity and difficulty of the suturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-loads the suture material into the device and positions it for automatic deployment. The needle and suture are prepared in advance within the device, allowing for smooth, pre-planned deployment during the procedure rather than requiring complex real-time manipulation.
4Productivity
If the needle is advanced from retracted to extended position during engagement, then suture deployment is achieved, but precise positioning control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a drive mechanism with feedback control that monitors needle position and adjusts advancement accordingly. The mechanism includes engagement detection features that sense when the needle has properly penetrated the tissue and mesh, automatically stopping advancement to achieve precise positioning while maintaining efficient deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with a driven mechanism that uses controlled actuation (potentially motorized or spring-driven) to advance and retract the needle. This substitution provides more precise and repeatable positioning control compared to manual manipulation, thereby achieving both high productivity and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing device is provided. The suturing device may include a firing aperture having at least one needle and a stripper plate, the needle being rotatable relative to the stripper plate and the firing aperture, and configured to engage a suture for deployment; and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and configured to advance the needle from a retracted position to an extended position during engagement, and retract the needle from the extended position to the retracted position during disengagement.