Suture Guide and Tensioning Device for Surgical Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face injuries and exposure to infectious agents during surgical procedures due to the need to handle sutures under tension, which can cause lacerations and compromise sterility, especially in procedures requiring high dexterity and control over sutures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device comprising an adjustable open ring, a protective plate, and a hook that allows for manipulation of sutures without direct finger contact, providing protection and control over sutures while maintaining tactile sensitivity and allowing for easy sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgeon directly manipulates sutures under tension using fingers, then dexterity and tactile sensitivity are maintained, but the surgeon is exposed to lacerations and infectious agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective device with a hook as an intermediary tool between the surgeon's finger and the suture. The hook engages with the suture material, allowing the surgeon to manipulate and maintain tension on sutures without direct finger contact, thereby preventing lacerations and exposure to infectious agents while preserving surgical dexterity
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device incorporates a flexible protective shell or covering that can be worn over the finger, providing a barrier against suture material while maintaining tactile sensitivity. This flexible protection allows the surgeon to feel the suture tension through the thin film while being physically protected from sharp suture edges
2Reliability
If conventional protective devices are used, then finger protection is provided, but the devices are bulky and reduce surgical dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into distinct functional components: a finger-worn protective shell and a separate hook attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the shell provides protection while the hook provides manipulation capability - and enables the device to be worn only on the specific finger needed, reducing overall complexity and bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device incorporates dynamic elements such as a flexible protective shell that can deform with finger movement, and a hook that can rotate or adjust its orientation. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to the natural movements of the surgeon's hand during surgery, maintaining protection without restricting dexterity or requiring a bulky rigid structure
Data Source
AI summary
A finger protector to prevent lacerations to the fingers of a surgeon during suturing. A kit comprising the finger protector and a method of using it during surgery.