Percutaneous Suture Cutter with Guide and Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cutting sutures percutaneously after vascular procedures often result in the suture protruding from the skin due to excessive pulling, which can compromise the seal of the anchor and sealing plug, and the small stretch available leaves the suture close to or protruding from the skin surface.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneous filament cutting device with a housing, elongated cutter guide, and sliding cutter, featuring a biasing member and actuator tab, along with a molded tip and one-way door to prevent knot entry and ensure safe cutting below the skin surface, allowing for precise suture cutting without excessive pulling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the suture is pulled to stretch it outside the incision for cutting, then the suture can be cut below the skin surface, but the pulling force may compromise the seal of the anchor and sealing plug
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary mechanism (the cutting device with guide and blade) that allows the suture to be cut at a controlled position below the skin surface without requiring excessive pulling force. The guide structure acts as a mediator to position the suture and the blade to perform the cutting action, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving precise cutting position and maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary positioning of the suture through the guide structure before cutting. The guide allows the suture to be advanced and positioned below the skin surface in advance, so that when cutting is performed, the suture is already in the correct position without requiring excessive pulling force that could compromise the seal.
2Ease of operation
If the suture is cut close to the base of the incision, then the suture is released from pulling pressure, but the suture may protrude from the skin surface
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the depth dimension (below skin surface) to resolve the contradiction. By positioning the cutting blade and guide structure to cut the suture below the skin surface rather than at the skin level, the suture is released from pulling pressure while remaining buried beneath the skin, thus preventing protrusion. This dimensional approach allows both suture release and proper positioning to be achieved simultaneously.
3Productivity
If a conventional cutting method is used, then the suture can be cut, but the small stretch available leaves the suture end close to or protruding from the skin surface
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as an intermediary that extends the effective cutting depth. It allows the blade to access and cut the suture at positions deeper below the skin surface than would be possible with conventional cutting methods, thereby achieving precise cutting position while maintaining productivity.
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
Enables safe and effective cutting of sutures below the skin surface, reducing the risk of cutting distal to knots and preventing suture protrusion, thus enhancing patient comfort and healing by maintaining the seal of the anchor and sealing plug.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member may be disposed between the elongated cutter and the housing for biasing the elongated cutter to a first position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for cutting filaments percutaneously. The methods and systems may be used in conjunction with sealing a puncture percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The present invention provides for safe filament cutting below the skin and may reduce the risk of cutting the filament distal of any knots.