Suture Manipulating Instrument with Helical Piercing Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture manipulating instruments for minimally invasive surgery are limited in their functionality, maneuverability, and ability to perform internal suturing within the constrained space of endoscopic procedures, lacking versatility and effectiveness in grasping, piercing, and threading sutures through tissue.
Innovation Solution
A suture manipulating instrument with manually movable handles, an elongated shaft, and jaws configured to grasp and pierce sutures, featuring a helical piercing tip and an eyelet for secure suture management, allowing for precise manipulation and threading of sutures through tissue, even in hard-to-reach locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional suture manipulating instruments are used, then basic suture passing can be achieved, but the instruments lack versatility and maneuverability in constrained endoscopic spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple suture manipulation functions (grasping, piercing, threading, and knot tying) into a single integrated instrument. The jaw assembly integrates both a fixed jaw and a movable jaw with complementary surfaces, allowing the instrument to perform multiple suture-related tasks without requiring separate tools, thereby enhancing versatility while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed with universal applicability for various suture manipulation tasks. The jaw surfaces are configured to accommodate different suture types and tissue thicknesses, and the helical shaft enables multiple operational modes (rotational piercing, linear pushing, and lateral maneuvering), making the device suitable for diverse endoscopic suturing scenarios
2Ease of operation
If conventional suture manipulating instruments are used, then simple suture passing can be performed, but maneuverability within limited endoscopic space is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is configured with a helical geometry that provides curved surfaces for manual manipulation. This helical shape allows the operator to easily rotate and maneuver the instrument through tight endoscopic spaces by applying natural hand motions, significantly improving ease of operation compared to straight rigid shafts
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates a movable jaw that can open and close relative to the fixed jaw, allowing dynamic adaptation to different tissue depths and suture positions. This dynamic capability enables the instrument to maneuver effectively in constrained spaces by adjusting jaw position rather than requiring complex overall instrument reconfiguration
3Strength
If conventional suture manipulating instruments are used, then thin tissue suturing can be achieved, but thicker tissue suturing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw surfaces are designed with locally optimized features: the fixed jaw has a concave surface and the movable jaw has a convex surface that together form an eyelet. This localized geometric configuration concentrates force effectively on the suture and tissue interface, enabling the instrument to pierce thicker tissues while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive jaw closure
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument utilizes a composite functional design where the shaft provides rotational capability and the jaw assembly provides grasping and piercing capability. This composite approach allows the instrument to handle thicker tissues by combining the penetrating power of the helical shaft with the grasping strength of the jaw surfaces
4Reliability
If conventional suture manipulating instruments are used, then basic suture grasping can be achieved, but secure suture management and threading through tissue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw surfaces are pre-configured with complementary concave and convex geometries that automatically align to form a secure eyelet when the jaws close. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures reliable suture grasping and positioning before tissue piercing occurs, enhancing suture management reliability without requiring complex active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The eyelet formed by the jaw surfaces acts as an intermediary structure that secures the suture during the piercing and threading process. This intermediate eyelet configuration allows the suture to be reliably held and guided through the tissue, improving suture management while keeping the overall device design relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
A suture manipulating instrument, includes: first and second handles manually movable relative to each other to open and closed positions; an elongated shaft having a proximal end fixed to the first handle, and a distal end defining a first jaw engageable with a suture to be manipulated; a second jaw movably mounted to the distal end of the elongated shaft to open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw; and a coupling between the second handle and the second jaw for moving the second jaw to its open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw upon movement of the second handle to open and closed positions with respect to the first handle. The first and second jaws are formed with confronting surfaces configured to firmly grasp a suture between them in the closed position of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw. The distal end of the first jaw is outwardly curved away from the axis of the shaft and is tapered towards its distal tip such as to define a piercing tip for piercing tissue by rotating the elongated shaft about its axis.