Suture Needle Guard with Funnel Bore and Immobilizer

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Solution Overview

Problem

In surgical operations, suture needles pose a risk of accidental needle sticks to surgeons, operating room personnel, and patients due to unsafe handling and disposal practices, which can lead to exposure to blood-borne diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis.

Innovation Solution

A suture needle guard comprising a hollow tube with a closed end and a funnel-shaped opening, designed to securely hold the needle, along with an immobilizing structure such as a sheet of card stock, to prevent accidental exposure and provide a sterile storage solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If suture needles are handled manually during surgical procedures, then surgical operations can be performed, but the risk of accidental needle sticks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical operationVSAvoidneedle stick risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (suture needle holder with safety mechanism) that mediates between the surgeon and the needle. The holder includes a protective shield that automatically engages to cover the needle point after insertion, preventing direct contact between the surgeon's fingers and the needle tip while still allowing surgical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture needle holder is segmented into distinct functional zones: a grip section for the surgeon, a shield section that covers the needle, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows the protective function to be separated from the manipulative function, enabling safe handling while maintaining surgical capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If used suture needles are passed for disposal, then surgical workflow continues, but exposure to blood-borne diseases increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical workflowVSAvoidblood-borne disease exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful exposed needle into a beneficial protected state by incorporating an automatic safety shield that engages after needle insertion. The shield captures any blood or tissue debris on the needle point, transforming the hazardous waste into a contained, safer form for disposal that reduces exposure risk to surgical staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If fingers are used to handle suture needles, then precise positioning is achieved, but needle sticks into surgeon's fingers or patient can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle positioningVSAvoidneedle stick injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized needle holder with a protective shield as an intermediary between the surgeon's fingers and the needle. The holder maintains precise positioning capability through its design while the shield prevents direct contact with the needle point, eliminating the risk of finger sticks while preserving surgical precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9393012B2Suture needle guard

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 DIPIERO JENNIFER

AI summary

A suture needle guard and method of operation for temporarily holding a suture needle during a surgical operation. The suture needle guard includes a hollow tube having a closed first end and an opposite, funnel shaped second end. The hollow tube has a hollow bore that extends from a closed bottom end to a funnel opening in the funnel shaped second end, and is configured to temporarily retain the suture needle within the suture needle guard. The suture needle guard also includes an immobilizing structure for temporarily immobilizing the suture needle guard during the surgical operation.