In Situ Suture Connector Forming Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical suturing devices face challenges in securely coupling suture portions extending from arterial or biological tissue, particularly in inaccessible areas, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased risk of complications due to manual handling difficulties and potential damage to the inner vessel wall.
Innovation Solution
A suture connector placement device with a handle, outer shaft, intermediate shaft, and push rod, which forms a suture connector by advancing a plug into a sleeve, securing suture portions through an interference fit, allowing for adjustable tension and preventing accidental ejection or damage to the vessel wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a knot placement device is used to secure suture portions, then the suture portions can be coupled together, but the formed connector may be inadvertently pushed through the arteriotomy and damage the inner vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of ejecting the connector from the device as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the approach by having the connector remain retained within the device after formation. The connector is formed in situ within the device, with suture portions secured between the plug and sleeve components, but the entire connector assembly remains held by the device, preventing any risk of inadvertent ejection that could damage the vessel wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The device structure acts as an intermediary between the formed connector and the external environment. The connector placement device, with its retained configuration, serves as a protective intermediary that holds the connector securely in place after formation, preventing direct contact between the connector and the vessel wall that could cause damage.
2Reliability
If compression is applied to the puncture site for extended time, then the wound closes naturally, but the recovery time exceeds twenty-four hours with increased patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
This invention replaces the conventional mechanical compression system (sandbags, manual pressure) with a sophisticated suture connector system that actively secures tissue portions together. The connector placement device with its plug and sleeve components provides precise mechanical coupling of sutures, substituting the crude compression method with a controlled suture-based closure mechanism that achieves wound closure without prolonged compression time.
3Reliability
If manual tying of suture portions is performed, then the suture can be secured, but the procedure time increases and handling becomes difficult in inaccessible areas
Solution Approach 1:
The connector placement device performs the suture coupling function automatically without requiring manual tying operations. The device itself provides the service of securing the suture portions between the plug and sleeve components through its mechanical action, eliminating the need for the physician to manually manipulate and tie sutures in difficult-to-reach areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector placement device serves as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between the physician and the difficult-to-reach suture portions. The device with its specialized connector formation mechanism allows secure suture coupling without requiring direct manual handling of the sutures in inaccessible anatomical areas.
4Ease of operation
If a suture connector is ejected from the placement device, then the connector is deployed, but the connector may be lost or reduced hemostasis
Solution Approach 1:
This invention inverts the conventional deployment approach by retaining the connector within the device rather than ejecting it. The connector is formed and secured within the device, with the device maintaining retention of the connector components, thereby eliminating the risks of loss or compromised hemostasis associated with ejection.
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
The device efficiently secures suture portions in situ, reducing recovery time, minimizing the risk of complications, and ensuring effective hemostasis without damaging the vessel wall, as the suture connector remains in place without needing to be ejected from the device.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve of the suture connector is disposed on an outer surface of the intermediate shaft via an interference fit there-between
Data Source
AI summary
A system for forming a suture connector in situ includes a suture connector placement device having a handle, an outer shaft, an intermediate shaft, and a push rod, and a suture connector having a sleeve and a plug. The intermediate shaft is slidingly disposed through a lumen of the outer shaft, and the push rod is slidingly disposed through a lumen of the intermediate shaft. When the suture connector is in a loaded configuration within the suture connector placement device, the sleeve is radially disposed over the intermediate shaft and the plug is positioned proximal to the sleeve within the lumen of the intermediate shaft. Distal advancement of the push rod moves the plug into the sleeve and proximal retraction of the intermediate shaft releases the resilient sleeve onto the plug, thereby securing two suture portions between the sleeve and the plug. The system is then utilized to trim the suture portions.