Double-Pointed Suture Needle Crimping for Precise Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crimping devices for securing sutures to double-pointed medical suture needles lack precision and efficiency, particularly in industrial settings, requiring improvements for precise attachment and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A crimping device with a lower and upper block, each featuring a groove system and crimping pins, allowing for precise deformation of the needle to secure the suture, utilizing springs and calibration mechanisms for controlled crimping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple groove structure is used in the crimping device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of the crimping process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping device is segmented into multiple functional components: lower and upper blocks with perpendicular grooves for positioning, separate crimping pins for deformation, and spring mechanisms for controlled force application. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with high precision while keeping the overall device design modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Spring mechanisms are introduced as intermediary elements between the blocking system and the crimping pins. These springs provide controlled force and gradual deformation, acting as a mediator that transforms the blocking motion into precise crimping action, thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring direct complex mechanical linkages.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual threading of suture on needle is used, then adaptability of needle-suture combinations is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming task
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-threaded through the needle using the automated crimping device before final assembly. The device performs the threading action in advance during the crimping process itself, eliminating the need for separate manual threading operations and significantly improving productivity while maintaining the ability to use various needle-suture combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping device is designed to automatically perform the threading function as part of its crimping operation. The needle is fed through the device, the suture is automatically positioned and threaded through the needle eye, and then crimped in one integrated process, allowing the system to serve itself without manual intervention for threading.
3Extent of automation
If repeated opening and closing of jaws is used for needle transfer, then automation of suturing process is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping device merges the needle positioning, suture threading, and crimping operations into a single integrated process. Instead of requiring separate jaw opening/closing cycles for each function, all operations are combined into one continuous motion where the needle is fed through, positioned, and crimped in a single automated sequence, reducing cycle time while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous needle feed and crimping operation without interruption. The needle is continuously fed through the device, and the crimping action occurs continuously as the needle passes through the grooves and pins, eliminating the stop-start nature of repeated jaw cycles and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the process.
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
Enables efficient, precise, and reliable attachment of sutures to double-pointed medical suture needles, facilitating industrial-scale production of pre-packed needles with attached sutures.
Implementation Method 1
the lower crimping pin and the upper crimping pin are configured to be moved in the lower crimping pin channel and the upper crimping pin channel, respectively, towards the intercept of the first groove and second groove to secure the suture to the double-pointed medical suture needle
Implementation Method 2
a lower block and an upper block that can be pressed towards each other to secure the suture to the double-pointed medical suture needle
Data Source
AI summary
A crimping device for securing a suture to a double-pointed medical suture needle includes a lower block and an upper block that are pressed towards each other to secure the suture to the needle. The lower block has a first groove to accommodate the suture and a second groove to accommodate the needle. The grooves are substantially perpendicularly to each other. The lower block has a lower crimping pin in a lower crimping pin channel at an intercept of the first and second groove. The upper block has an upper crimping pin arranged in an upper crimping pin channel at the intercept of the grooves. The lower and upper crimping pins are configured to move in the lower and upper crimping pin channels, respectively, towards the groove intercept to secure the suture to the needle. A method of securing a suture to a double-pointed medical suture needle is also disclosed.