Segmented Suture Clamp for Gastrointestinal Anchor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture retention hubs for gastrointestinal suture anchor devices require tight geometrical tolerances, are complex to manufacture, and struggle with initial suture thread reception, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A suture clamp with a series of disks that move from a high profile sliding configuration to a low profile clamped configuration, defining a tortuous pathway for the suture, which is clamped between faces of adjacent disks, ensuring secure suture retention without overlapping segments and using a living hinge or clasp for easy assembly and patient comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture retention hub with tight geometrical tolerances is used, then suture retention is secure, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture clamp is divided into multiple discrete disks (first disk, second disk, third disk) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. Each disk can be produced with standard tolerances, avoiding the need for tight tolerances across the entire assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure suture retention through the cumulative effect of multiple clamping surfaces.
2Reliability
If a suture retention hub with tight geometrical tolerances is used, then suture retention is secure, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the clamp into multiple disks, each component can be manufactured using cost-effective processes with standard tolerances. The modular design allows for simplified manufacturing, potential mass production of individual disks, and easier quality control, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while achieving secure suture retention through the combined clamping action of all disks.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple disks are combined to form a single functional suture clamp assembly. This merging of multiple simple components achieves the secure retention function that would otherwise require a single complex component with tight tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If a traditional suture retention hub is used, then the device structure is simple, but initial suture thread reception is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The disks are designed with pre-formed suture passages and entry openings that are specifically shaped to guide and receive the suture thread. The tortuous pathway is pre-configured within the disk structure, so when the suture is inserted, it naturally follows the predetermined path through the disks, making initial thread reception easy despite the relatively complex multi-disk structure.
4Reliability
If a suture clamp with multiple disks is used, then suture grip is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into multiple disks, each contributing to the overall suture grip. The segmentation allows for a tortuous suture pathway that increases friction and grip security. While the structure appears more complex, each disk is a simple component, and the modular design actually simplifies assembly and maintenance compared to a single complex clamping mechanism.
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 solution provides a secure, efficient, and cost-effective suture retention mechanism that simplifies the manufacturing process and enhances patient comfort by reducing complexity and improving suture grip without requiring tight geometrical tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
the suture may be frictionally crimped, and is prevented from further movement through the hub
Data Source
AI summary
A gastrointestinal suture anchor set device includes a pusher slidably received in a needle. A suture clamp assembly includes an anchor attached to one end of a length of the suture, which is slidably received in a sequence of passages defined by a suture clamp in a high profile sliding configuration. The anchor is received in the distal end of the needle with the suture extending outside of the needle. The clamp includes a series of disks movable to a low profile clamped configuration at which different segments of the suture are clamped between faces of adjacent disks. The series of disks define a sequence of suture passages that are segments of a tortuous pathway through the clamp traversed by the suture.