Suture Ferrule Latch Mechanism for Reliable Minimally Invasive Suturing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated suturing devices face issues with ferrules becoming loose in the ferrule holder before the needle is actuated, leading to incomplete stitches due to the flexibility and steerability requirements of the device shaft.

Innovation Solution

A suture security device with a latch and actuator mechanism that secures the ferrule in the holder until the needle is ready to engage, ensuring the ferrule remains in place during the stitching process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device shaft is made flexible and steerable to position the tissue gap onto target tissue, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the ferrule may come loose in the ferrule holder prior to needle actuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and steerability of device shaftVSAvoidferrule retention in holder

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is positioned to engage the ferrule before needle actuation occurs. This preliminary securing action prevents the ferrule from becoming dislodged during device manipulation, while still allowing the shaft to maintain its flexibility and steerability for positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The latch acts as an intermediary component between the ferrule and the holder. It provides an additional mechanical interface that secures the ferrule in place without restricting the overall flexibility of the device shaft, thus mediating between the need for secure retention and the need for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a latch mechanism is added to secure the ferrule, then the reliability of ferrule retention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveferrule retention in holderVSAvoidlatch and actuator mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is integrated with the existing holder structure, combining multiple functions into a unified component. The latch works in conjunction with the holder and needle actuator system, merging security functions with the existing surgical instrument architecture rather than adding completely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch is designed to be automatically actuated by the needle actuator system already present in the device. The same actuator that drives the needle also triggers the latch release, eliminating the need for a separate control mechanism and reducing overall system complexity despite the added security function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260026802A1Suture security device for minimally invasive surgical suturing

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 LSI SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A suture security device is disclosed. The suture security device also includes a latch, a plate, and an actuator coupled to the latch and operable to move the latch away from the plate. The suture security device may also include a first latch array, a second latch array, a plurality of plates, a first actuator coupled to the first latch array and operable to move the first latch array away from the plurality of plates, and a second actuator coupled to the second latch array and operable to move the second latch array away from the plurality of plates.