Segmented Suture Passer Needle Navigating Non-Linear Tissue Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in reliably passing and retrieving sutures through soft tissues due to the need for a needle to navigate non-linear pathways, requiring a balance between flexibility and rigidity, and often involve complex mechanisms that add steps to the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A suture passer system with a needle that can move between retracted and extended positions, featuring a distal end with sharpened members and a channel, and a pusher component to facilitate suture transfer between the needle and the suture passer, allowing for efficient passage and retrieval of sutures through tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the needle is made rigid to pass through tissue, then penetration capability is improved, but ability to navigate non-linear pathways deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into multiple segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the needle to bend and navigate non-linear pathways while maintaining the ability to penetrate tissue. The segmented structure enables the distal portion to follow curved trajectories while the proximal portion remains relatively straight for stable insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle incorporates dynamic articulation joints that allow controlled bending and movement during insertion. These joints enable the needle to adapt its shape in real-time to navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining sufficient rigidity for tissue penetration when needed.
2Reliability
If complex suture retrieval mechanisms are added to the instrument, then suture retrieval capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle itself is designed with integrated suture retrieval capability through its articulation mechanism. As the needle articulates and changes direction during withdrawal, it automatically guides the suture back through the needle channel and out the distal end, eliminating the need for separate retrieval mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle serves multiple functions: it penetrates tissue, guides the suture through the target site, and retrieves the suture back through the same distal end. This multi-functionality is achieved through the articulation mechanism that enables the needle to perform both insertion and retrieval operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the needle is made flexible to navigate non-linear pathways, then adaptability is improved, but rigidity for reliable suture passing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by articulation joints. Each segment maintains sufficient rigidity for stable suture passing, while the joints between segments provide the flexibility needed to navigate non-linear pathways. The segmented construction allows the needle to be both strong and adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle incorporates composite construction with rigid materials for the segments and flexible materials for the articulation joints. This composite approach allows the needle to exhibit both rigidity where needed for suture passing and flexibility where needed for navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may include one or more needles. The suture passer may also include a pusher; a distal end with a sharp, blade-like extension; or a side-loading distal end.