Suture Device With Spring-Driven Needle and Tissue Spreader
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture devices for trocar puncture wounds face issues with insecure positioning, require replacement between sutures, and can cause tissue displacement or tearing, especially when suturing opposite sides of a wound.
Innovation Solution
A suture device with a deformable spreader that engages tissue on opposite sides to pull it into a suturing space, ensuring correct placement of sutures away from the wound edge, and a spring-driven mechanism for automated needle penetration, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple needles without repositioning the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture device is used to close trocar puncture wounds, then the wound can be closed, but the positioning of the device with respect to the puncture wound is relatively insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a positioning part with a non-circular cross section that engages with a corresponding non-circular puncture configuration, providing tactile and visual feedback to the surgeon to ensure accurate rotational positioning of the device relative to the wound, thereby improving positioning security without complicating the operation
2Volume of moving object
If the suture device is made compact for laparoscopic surgery, then it fits through trocar, but sutures end up closer to the tissue edge than ideal
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces a longitudinal dimension for needle travel path, allowing the needle to penetrate tissue at an optimized distance from the wound edge along the length of the device, thereby achieving precise suture placement while maintaining a compact cross-sectional profile suitable for laparoscopic surgery
3Ease of operation
If a tissue clamp is used to hold tissue during suturing, then tissue can be clamped, but the clamp may cause squeezing the tissue out sideways rather than keeping it in place
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the spreader as an intermediary element that distributes clamping force along the tissue surface, preventing localized squeezing and tissue displacement while maintaining secure tissue engagement for suturing operations
4Reliability
If the suture device requires replacement between consecutive sutures, then new needles can be used, but positioning becomes relatively insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with a universal positioning mechanism that maintains secure engagement with the puncture wound across multiple suturing operations, eliminating the need for device replacement between consecutive sutures while preserving positioning security throughout the entire surgical procedure
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 ensures accurate and secure suturing with reduced risk of tissue displacement or tearing, enabling efficient closure of wounds with improved user-friendliness and reduced collateral damage, facilitating precise placement of sutures far from the wound edge.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-driven mechanism for automated needle penetration
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 2C~2K
AI summary
A suture device (1) is provided comprising an elongate body (3) having a longitudinal axis (A) and opposite proximal and distal ends (P,D), the distal end (D) being configured for insertion into a tissue wound and the proximal end (P) being configured for operating the device (1), and a suture needle (25) connected with the elongate body at or near the distal end and movable relative to the elongate body in longitudinal direction along a needle trajectory (N) having a suturing space (S). The device further comprises a spreader (15) connected with the elongate body at or near the distal end and configured to engage tissue to be sutured adjacent the needle trajectory and to provide a pulling force on the tissue to pull a portion of the tissue into the suturing space; and/or comprises a spring (11) and the device being configured to urge at least a portion of the suture needle from a first position to a second position along a needle trajectory (N) past a suturing space (S) by a spring action of the spring.