Suture Needle Crimping Blocks for Precise Automatic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a precise, efficient, reliable, and fast tool for securing a suture to a double-pointed medical suture needle, particularly in industrial-scale applications where precision and speed are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A crimping device comprising a lower block and an upper block that can be pressed together to secure the suture to the double-pointed medical suture needle. The device includes grooves for accommodating the needle and suture, with a protrusion in the needle groove to deform the needle and bond the suture when the blocks are pressed together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a double-pointed needle is transferred between two jaws repeatedly in an automatic fashion, then the wound can be closed using a suturing device with built-in needle-transfer, but the process requires precise control of pressure application and location
Solution Approach 1:
The needle itself provides the positioning information through its indentations, which engage with the jaw structure to automatically align the needle in the correct position. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for external precision control systems, allowing automatic operation while maintaining precise pressure application at the through-hole location.
2Loss of time
If a swaged needle is supplied as a pre-packed eyeless needle attached to a specific length of suture thread, then medical staff does not have to spend time on threading, but the needle end and suture must be joined as a continuous unit which requires precise crimping
Solution Approach 1:
The needle's indentation structure serves dual purposes: it enables automatic positioning during crimping and also indicates the precise location where the suture should be attached. This self-positioning feature allows for rapid pre-packing operations while ensuring that the crimping pressure is applied at the exact correct location on the needle shaft.
3Productivity
If a crimping device is designed to secure suture to needle efficiently, then the process can be fast and reliable, but the device structure becomes more complex with multiple grooves and protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves in the jaw structure serve multiple functions: they guide the needle into the correct position, locate the through-hole alignment, and provide the crimping surface. The protrusions similarly serve both as positioning features and as the actual crimping elements. This multi-functionality allows for rapid crimping operations without requiring separate positioning mechanisms, thus increasing productivity while limiting the growth of device complexity.
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
The crimping device provides an efficient, reliable, and fast method for securing sutures to double-pointed medical suture needles, enabling pre-packaging of needles with sutures for use in automated or semi-automated suturing devices.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusions cause a deformation of the double-pointed medical suture needle, preferably from two opposite sides of the double-pointed medical suture needle. The deformation bonds 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 can be pressed against each other to secure the suture to the double-pointed medical suture needle. Each of the lower block and upper block have a first groove configured to accommodate the suture; and a second groove configured to accommodate the double-pointed medical suture needle, the second groove extending in a second groove extension substantially perpendicular to a first groove extension of the first groove, wherein the second groove comprises a protrusion at an intercept of the first groove and second groove. The disclosure further relates to a method of securing at least one suture to at least one double-pointed medical suture needle.