Steerable Suture Retriever With Torque Shaft for Confined Endoscopy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments face challenges in retrieving or passing sutures through limited spaces during minimally invasive procedures, particularly in endoscopic surgeries, due to difficulties in maneuverability and steerability.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a shaft and handle system that includes a suture carrying element with a capture portion and a torque shaft, allowing for rotational and axial movement of the capture portion relative to the shaft, enabling precise manipulation and retrieval of sutures or other surgical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a suture snare is used to retrieve sutures in endoscopic surgery, then suture retrieval is enabled, but deployment is challenging due to limited space within the joint
Solution Approach 1:
The suture carrying element is divided into a main segment and a capture portion, allowing independent manipulation of each component. The capture portion can be deployed separately to grasp the suture while the main segment remains controllable through the shaft, simplifying deployment in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture portion is designed to be dynamically deployable from a constrained state within the shaft to an expanded state for suture capture. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt to limited surgical spaces while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the capture portion is made flexible to navigate through the shaft, then steerability is improved, but rotational control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the suture carrying element have different mechanical properties. The main segment near the shaft opening is made more rigid to maintain rotational control and orientation, while distal portions are more flexible to enable steering and navigation through confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A torque shaft is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle and the suture carrying element. This torque shaft transmits rotational forces effectively to the capture portion while allowing the element to maintain its flexibility for steering, decoupling the conflicting requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the suture carrying element is made rigid for precise control, then rotational positioning is improved, but ability to navigate confined spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suture carrying element transitions from a flexible state during insertion and navigation to a more rigid state when deployed for suture capture. This dynamic stiffness change allows the element to navigate confined spaces flexibly while maintaining precise rotational positioning capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The element is segmented into proximal and distal portions with different rigidity characteristics. The proximal portion near the shaft maintains higher rigidity for rotational control, while the distal capture portion is more flexible for navigation, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning and retrieval device manipulated by carrying clement coupled to a handle and driven by an actuator that allows for axial movement and rotational movement of a capturing portion on the carrying element.