Surgical Closure Method Using Inward Tissue Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical closure methods face challenges in effectively sealing incisions, particularly in mucosal tissues, during trans-organ surgical procedures, which can lead to difficulties in healing and require multiple instruments, complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a retracting tool with barbs to pull incision lips or edges towards the inner side of the tissue wall, followed by the application of closure elements like sutures, staples, or clips to ensure contact and fusion of the outer tissue surfaces for healing, utilizing a surgical instrument kit with a distal end featuring barbs or clips for tissue approximation and closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical closure methods are used on mucosal tissues, then the incision can be closed, but the healing process is difficult and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pulling mucosal tissues outward for closure, the invention inverts the approach by pulling the incision lips inward toward the inner side of the tissue wall. This reversal of the closure direction addresses the poor healing characteristics of mucosal tissues by ensuring that the outer tissue surfaces, which have better healing properties, are in contact and fused together.
2Reliability
If multiple instruments are used for surgical closure, then the incision can be closed, but the procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the tissue approximation function and the closure element application function into a single integrated surgical instrument. The instrument includes a shaft with a distal end that has both barbs for pulling the incision lips inward and a closure element (such as a staple or clip) that can be applied to secure the closed incision. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate instruments needed and simplifies the surgical procedure.
3Reliability
If incision lips are not properly approximated, then the closure process is simpler, but tissue contact and fusion are insufficient for healing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the tissue approximation action before applying the closure element. The barbs on the distal end of the shaft are used to pull the incision lips inward toward the inner side of the tissue wall, pre-positioning the tissues in proper contact. This preliminary approximation ensures that when the closure element (staple or clip) is applied, the tissues are already in the correct position for effective healing, eliminating the need for complex manual approximation maneuvers during the closure step.
Data Source
AI summary
In a surgical method, an incision is formed in a layer of organic tissue defining a wall having an inner side and an outer side. The incision has a pair of opposing lips or edges. The lips or edges are retracted towards the inner side of the tissue wall and approximated to one another. Thereafter, one or more closure elements are applied to the inwardly pulled lips or edges.