Suture Passer With Sliding Needle For Arthroscopic Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture passing devices require withdrawal and reloading for each stitch, inefficiently completing the stitching process in arthroscopic hip joint repairs.
Innovation Solution
A suture passer device with a distal end featuring a gripping portion and a suture holding portion, equipped with a slidable needle that can be extended and retracted to pass suture through tissue without needing to be withdrawn and reloaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional suture passing devices are used, then each stitch can be completed, but the device must be completely withdrawn and reloaded for each stitch, reducing surgical efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-loaded with suture material in the proximal portion before insertion. The suture is fed through the needle and tissue in advance, allowing the needle to be withdrawn and reinserted multiple times without requiring complete device withdrawal or reloading. This preliminary loading of suture material enables continuous stitching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into functional segments: a proximal portion containing the suture supply and a distal needle portion. This segmentation allows the suture material to be stored separately from the needle, enabling the needle to be reused multiple times while the suture is fed through as needed, thereby eliminating the need to withdraw and reload the entire device for each stitch.
2Ease of operation
If the needle is extended and retracted multiple times, then stitches can be completed without withdrawal, but the needle must be properly secured and positioned each time
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed with a sliding mechanism that allows it to move dynamically between retracted and extended positions within the proximal portion. This dynamic capability enables the needle to be extended for stitching and then retracted for storage without requiring complete device withdrawal. The sliding action is controlled by a mechanism that maintains simplicity while providing the necessary operational flexibility for multiple stitch completions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for completing one or more stitches without withdrawal and reloading of an inserter. A suture passer includes a distal end having a body with a gripping portion and a suture holding portion. The gripping portion and the suture holding portion are spaced, defining a recess in the body therebetween. A tube of the gripping portion extends toward the suture holding portion and maintains a needle therein. The needle is slidable within the tube between a retracted position and an extended position. The needle has a notch at its distal end for catching and securing a limb of suture. In the retracted position, the distal end of the needle is within the tube of the gripping portion and in the extended position, the distal end of the needle extends into the suture holding portion.