Suture Holder with Parallel Passage for Untangled Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture packaging designs, such as racetrack configurations and laminate envelopes, often lead to suture tangling and difficulty in deployment due to the suture being wound multiple times, which complicates the surgical closure process.
Innovation Solution
A suturing kit featuring a suture holder with an elongated passage that allows the suture to be stored as a half loop, preventing tangling and facilitating easy deployment, along with separate needle holders for each end of the suture and a knot pusher, all packaged in a sterile configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the suture is wound several times around within the package (racetrack configuration or laminate envelope), then the suture can be compactly stored, but the suture becomes tangled and difficult to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-configured in a linear arrangement with a loop section at one end and parallel sections extending from the loop, rather than being wound or coiled. This preliminary arrangement prevents tangling during deployment while maintaining compact packaging, as the suture simply needs to be pulled through the holder without unwinding or untangling complex windings.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is divided into distinct functional sections: a loop section and multiple parallel sections that extend from the loop. This segmentation allows each section to serve its specific purpose (the loop for knot formation, the parallel sections for tissue passage) while preventing the entire suture from becoming tangled as a single mass during deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If the suture is wound several times around within the package, then the suture can be compactly stored, but the surgical closure process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-configured in a linear arrangement with a loop section at one end and parallel sections extending from the loop, rather than being wound or coiled. This preliminary arrangement prevents tangling during deployment while maintaining compact packaging, as the suture simply needs to be pulled through the holder without unwinding or untangling complex windings.
3Ease of operation
If the suture receiving passage has a width at least twice the diameter of the suture, then the suture can be deployed without tangling, but the holder occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The suture holder features a passage width that is at least twice the suture diameter specifically at the critical deployment region, allowing smooth passage without tangling. This localized enlargement is only where needed for suture extraction, while other portions of the holder maintain compact dimensions, balancing deployment ease with space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing kit includes a suture and a suture holder for holding the suture. The suture has a first end and a second, opposite, end. The suture holder includes an elongated wall defining a suture receiving passage that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and terminates at a suture exit opening. The suture receiving passage has a width at least twice the diameter of the suture and receives the suture such that the suture is folded over forming a half loop section spaced from the suture exit opening. A first second of the suture extends from the half loop section toward the first end and a second section of the suture extends from the half loop section towards the second end. The first section and the second section of the suture within the suture receiving passage are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.