Suture Passer Jaw Interlocks for Controlled Needle Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suturing tissue in difficult-to-access body regions is challenging due to limited navigation, risk of injury, and unreliable suture passing, particularly in endoscopic procedures, often requiring complex and expensive instruments.

Innovation Solution

A suture passer device with angularly movable jaw members, a clamp trigger, and a lock mechanism to ensure jaws are clamped before passing the suture, and thumb triggers for precise control, preventing suture passing without clamping and avoiding tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing suture passer devices are used to access deep or obstructed tissue, then surgical repair can be performed in internal body regions, but the instruments are limited by navigation ability and cannot access tissue located deep within the body or obstructed by bone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access deep or obstructed tissueVSAvoidnavigation within tight confines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple functional segments: an elongated body for access, a movable jaw assembly for tissue grasping, a penetrator mechanism for suture delivery, and a lock mechanism for control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to overcome anatomical barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw members are designed with angular movement capability relative to the elongated body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the jaw angle to navigate around obstacles and access tissue in difficult-to-reach locations. The movable second jaw member can extend and retract to adapt to different tissue depths and configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If existing suture passer devices are used for tissue suturing, then tissue repair can be performed, but the devices are complicated and expensive to use due to numerous parts and subassemblies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue suturing functionVSAvoidnumber of parts and subassemblies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into integrated components: the jaw members combine tissue grasping and suture anchoring functions, the penetrator integrates needle delivery and suture passage capabilities, and the lock mechanism unifies control of jaw positioning and penetrator deployment. This reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining reliable suturing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a multi-functional instrument that can perform tissue grasping, suture delivery, and needle recapture through its integrated components. The jaw members can both clamp tissue and provide an anchor point for the suture, while the penetrator serves both to deliver the needle and pass the suture through the tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If existing suture passer devices are used, then suture passing can be attempted, but there is risk of injury to adjacent structures and problems controlling the position and condition of the tissue before, during, and after passing the suture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture passing efficiencyVSAvoidinjury to adjacent structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is designed to require predetermined jaw closure before allowing penetrator extension, ensuring tissue is properly positioned and secured before the suture-passing action occurs. This preliminary clamping action prevents tissue displacement and protects adjacent structures during the critical penetrator deployment phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates mechanical feedback through the lock mechanism that monitors jaw closure position and provides tactile feedback to the operator. The lock only releases to allow penetrator extension when the jaws are sufficiently closed, providing real-time feedback on tissue grasping adequacy and preventing premature penetrator deployment that could injure adjacent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If large openings are made to expose areas requiring surgical repair, then tissue access is improved, but recovery time increases and infection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue accessVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device concentrates its tissue interaction at the distal tip where the jaw members and penetrator are located, allowing precise local access to deep tissue through a small proximal incision. The elongated body acts as a conduit that delivers the functional elements to the target site without requiring large-scale exposure of the surgical field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12611208B2Suture passer devices and methods

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 CETERIX ORTHOPAEDICS INC

AI summary

Suture passer devices and methods of using the devices having one or more protective interlocks preventing or limiting operation of the suture passer when deployment of the needle may damage the apparatus or harm the patient. For example, described herein are suture passer devices that include an interlock preventing deployment of the tissue penetrator (needle) when the jaws are not clamped onto a tissue. Also described herein are interlocks preventing retraction of a jaw axially until the needle is retracted.