Automated Suture Device with Thermal Fusion and Ratchet Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgery faces challenges in securely suturing and ligating vessels and mesh due to the difficulty in replicating traditional open surgery techniques, with existing devices being bulky, limited in size, or causing tissue damage, and lacking precision and automation.
Innovation Solution
A suture device with a channeled end effector that advances and secures a suture around a vessel, automates retraction and sealing, and uses a biocompatible polymer with differing thermal properties to fuse the suture without knots, equipped with sensor technology for feedback and a hollow curved needle for mesh fixation, allowing for secure and precise ligation in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If metallic clip mechanisms are used for ligation, then multiple clips per device are available, but the device is limited to structures of one centimeter in diameter and clips tend to slide on vascular tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The suture device employs a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the suture to be tightened progressively around the vessel, adapting to various vessel diameters. The ratchet mechanism enables unidirectional tightening while preventing slippage, providing both size adaptability and secure ligation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of suture tension and positioning parameters to accommodate different vessel sizes. The movable jaw and adjustable suture feed mechanism enable parameter optimization for each specific ligation scenario, from small to larger vessels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If plastic clip systems are used, then slightly larger sizes are available, but the devices are typically single-load and have a tendency to misalign
Solution Approach 1:
The suture device incorporates self-aligning features where the jaws and suture path are designed to automatically center and align during the ligation process. The curved needle and guided suture feed ensure proper positioning without requiring precise manual alignment by the surgeon.
3Quantity of substance
If linear-stapling devices are used, then large amount of tissue can be ligated, but the devices are quite bulky and require larger cannula
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the ligation function into discrete components: a curved needle for suture passage, a ratchet mechanism for tension control, and a locking jaw for secure placement. This segmentation allows each component to be miniaturized while maintaining the overall ligation capability for large tissue volumes.
4Productivity
If energy sealant devices are used, then rapid and continuous usage is possible, but limited to structures less than approximately 7 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces energy-based sealing mechanisms with a mechanical suture-based system. The curved needle delivers suture material that is then secured through mechanical ratcheting and locking, eliminating size limitations while maintaining rapid deployment through automated suture feeding.
5Extent of automation
If automated suture devices with needle are used, then tissue approximation is achieved, but the needle can penetrate vasculature structures causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary positioning and planning of the suture path before needle penetration. The curved needle design and guided delivery system allow the surgeon to pre-plan the trajectory to avoid vascular structures, and the automated feed mechanism ensures controlled insertion without unexpected movements that could cause damage.
6Reliability
If endplate to overlap suture is used, then suture fusion is achieved, but unwanted space in the loop results in incomplete occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism provides mechanical feedback that ensures the suture is tightened to the precise point of vessel occlusion. The unidirectional locking action prevents over-tightening while ensuring complete closure, and the visual feedback of the locked ratchet confirms proper tension is achieved.
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 reliable, repeatable, and secure suturing of varied tissue sizes with minimal dissection, reducing error and tissue damage, and replicates open surgery techniques for mesh fixation in laparoscopic procedures, improving efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
uses a biocompatible polymer with differing thermal properties to fuse the suture without knots
Data Source
AI summary
A suture device including a hollow shaft; a pair of jaws disposed at an end of the hollow shaft, at least one of the jaws being actuated by an actuation arm coupled to an actuation mechanism, and each of the jaws including a channel formed therein for carrying a suture; a locking device disposed in the hollow shaft operable to grip an end of the suture; a cutting device disposed in the hollow shaft operable to cut an opposing end of the suture; and a heating device configured to remove the suture from the channels of the pair of jaws, and fuse the suture. The suture can include a core surrounded by an outer coating, wherein the outer coating has a melting point less than a melting point of the inner core.