Surgical Suturing Needle Positioning with Ramp and Snare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgical suturing tools face challenges in efficiently and accurately threading suture material through tissue during minimally invasive procedures, particularly in natural orifice transenteric surgery, where precise control and minimal tissue damage are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A surgical suturing apparatus with a needle, channel, and positioning assembly that includes a ramp member and snare member for controlled needle movement, allowing for multiple release and retrieval cycles to thread suture material through tissue, and a suture tag design for secure attachment, enabling precise stitching and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a needle and suture material are used for endoscopic suturing, then tissue can be approximated and wounds closed, but the ability to precisely control needle movement and threading through tissue in tight spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A ramp member is introduced as an intermediary mechanical element between the needle and the actuation system. The ramp member engages with the needle and translates linear actuation motion into controlled angular and linear needle movement, enabling precise needle positioning and threading through tissue while maintaining ease of operation through the actuation assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The needle positioning system employs dynamic movement through multiple stages: the ramp member provides angular engagement initially, then transitions to linear propulsion as the needle advances through tissue. This dynamic adaptation of movement mode enables precise control throughout the entire suturing cycle
2Productivity
If multiple release and retrieval cycles are performed for suturing, then complete stitching can be achieved, but the complexity of controlling needle movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp member and snare member are integrated into a single actuation assembly that controls both components through coordinated movement. This merging of control functions reduces the overall complexity of managing multiple release and retrieval cycles while maintaining high suturing productivity through efficient multi-functional operation
3Reliability
If a secure suture attachment is implemented, then stitching reliability is improved, but the complexity of suture tagging and attachment mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: the suture tag with engagement features, the needle with attachment point, and the actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability, and the modular nature actually reduces complexity by making each component simpler and more specialized
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical suturing apparatus is described. The suturing apparatus has a needle having at least one pointed end, a channel for releasably receiving the needle, a needle positioning assembly having members for moving the needle and an actuation assembly for actuating the needle positioning assembly. The needle includes a first puncturing point at a proximal end thereof and an engagement section adjacent thereto, a distal end, which may have a second puncturing point, and another engagement section adjacent the distal end. A structure, such as an eye or a slot, is provided to secure a length of suture material to the needle. The members for moving the needle include an engagement member for releasably engaging one of the engagement sections of the needle to effect axial movement of the needle within the channel, a ramp member for effecting movement of the needle in the distal direction along the longitudinal axis of the channel and for urging the proximal end of the needle out of the channel, and a snare axially movable within the channel and having a portion releasably housed within the channel. The snare portion is configured for capturing the proximal engagement section of the needle to guide the needle in a proximal direction when the needle is out of the channel and to guide the return of the needle to the channel.