Surgical Suture Apparatus Spring-Powered Needle Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing surgical suture apparatus has a small stroke and low energy operation, making it difficult to reliably activate the holding devices, and increasing the stroke or force is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a switch device and activation device with a pre-tensioned spring, where the movement of the jaw elements from the open to the take-over position stores potential energy, which is then used to switch the needle between holding devices, enhancing the energy available for operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the stroke of the first operating element is increased to provide more energy for activation, then the reliability of operating the holding devices is improved, but the stroke becomes excessively large which is undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of operating the holding devicesVSAvoidstroke of the operating element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is pre-tensioned during the movement of the jaw elements from the open position to the take-over position, storing potential energy in advance. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient energy is available for reliable activation of the holding devices without requiring an excessively large stroke of the operating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the force required to depress the operating element is increased to activate the operating device, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the force becomes excessively high which is undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of activating the operating deviceVSAvoidforce required to depress the operating element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is pre-tensioned during the movement of the jaw elements from the open position to the take-over position, storing potential energy in advance. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient energy is available for reliable activation of the holding devices without requiring an excessively large stroke of the operating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design allows for reliable operation of the holding devices with an acceptable stroke and force, utilizing stored potential energy to improve the efficiency of needle handling and suturing.

Implementation Method 1

the spring is configured to be pre-tensioned during movement of the first jaw element and the second jaw element from the open position to the take-over position, and wherein the release device is configured to release, upon activation, the pre-tensioned spring to move the switch device between the first operating position and the second operating position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3426165B1Surgical suture apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 MELLON MEDICAL
  • EP3426165B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3426165B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3426165B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

The invention provides a surgical suture apparatus for passing a double-ended surgical needle forwards and backwards. The surgical apparatus comprises a first jaw element and a second jaw element, and an operating device to operate a first holding device in the first jaw element and a second holding device in the second jaw element to alternately hold a first needle-end by the first holding device and a second needle-end by the second holding device. The first jaw element and second jaw element are movable with respect to each other between a take-over position and an open position. The operating device comprises a switch device movable between a first operating position, in which a needle is held by the first holding device, and a second operating position, in which the needle is held by the second holding device, and an activation device configured to move the switch device between the first operating position and the second operating position. The activation device comprises a spring and a release device, wherein the spring is configured to be pre-tensioned during movement of the first jaw element and second jaw element,from the open position to the take-over position,and where in the release device is configured to release, upon activation, the pre-tensioned spring to move the switch device between the first operating position and the second operating position.