Spiral Needle for Minimal Tissue Damage Thread Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical devices require the use of two needles to place surgical threads, which can cause excessive tissue damage and are not suitable for applications where threads need to be placed without connecting two tissue parts, such as in cosmetic surgery for skin tightening.

Innovation Solution

A medical device featuring a solid, spiral-shaped needle with a smooth, integral front end and rear end, designed for controlled thread placement with minimal tissue damage, including a thread holder and handle for easy operation, allowing for precise and gentle insertion of threads into tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two needles are used to place surgical threads, then the thread can be securely anchored in tissue, but tissue damage increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread anchoring securityVSAvoidtissue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate needle functions into a single integrated device. The first needle places the thread through the tissue while the second needle simultaneously anchors the thread end, both actions performed by one device rather than two separate needles, thereby reducing tissue damage while maintaining secure thread anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second needle is positioned within or alongside the first needle in a nested configuration. This allows both needles to be inserted through the tissue in close proximity, enabling thread placement and anchoring through a single insertion point, which minimizes the number of separate tissue penetrations required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If two needles are inserted simultaneously to place threads, then thread placement is effective, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread placement effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate needle insertion operations into a single integrated device with two needles that work together. This unified structure simplifies the overall procedure compared to using two separate needles that would require separate handling and coordination, reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective thread placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into two functional components (first needle for thread placement, second needle for anchoring) that are integrated into a single operable unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while being controlled as one device, balancing functional effectiveness with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a spiral needle with integral front and rear ends is used, then tissue damage is minimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue damageVSAvoidintegral formation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The needle features a spiral or curved geometry rather than a straight configuration. This curved design allows the needle to follow a more natural tissue path, distributing mechanical stress and reducing tissue damage during insertion. The spiral shape is integrally formed to ensure smooth transitions and eliminate sharp corners that could cause tissue injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle has different geometric properties at different locations: the front end has specific curvature characteristics optimized for tissue penetration, while the rear end has different characteristics for thread anchoring. This local differentiation of geometric quality allows each part to perform its function optimally while maintaining integral construction that minimizes overall tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3410955B1Medical device
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 DOCI DONATA MICHELLE
  • EP3410955B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3410955B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3410955B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical device for positioning a thread in tissue. In particular, the invention relates to a medical device (10) comprising a spiral needle (12), wherein the spiral needle (12) has a spiral-shaped needle body (14) which is formed about a central axis (A) and runs along a spiral path and also has a front end (16) and a rear end (18), wherein at least the front end (16) is integrally formed with the needle body (14), wherein the spiral path has an outer tangential plan (Ta), an inner tangential plane (Ti), an upper side (O) and an opposing underside (U), arid wherein the front end (16) runs in the direction of the spiral path of the needle body (14), and the front end (16) has a tip (22) and a thread-receiving means (24) arranged behind same.