Suture Passer Continuous Outer Diameter Transition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture passers face difficulties in smoothly and efficiently passing through abdominal walls during minimally invasive procedures, such as ventral hernia repairs, due to discontinuities in the transition between the cannula and stylet, leading to increased trauma and force requirements.
Innovation Solution
A suture passer design featuring a stylet and cannula with a continuous outer diameter transition, where the stylet's proximal segment is received within the cannula in a retracted position and expands to match the cannula's diameter, allowing for a smooth advancement through soft tissue and easy suture capture with a suture retention notch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional suture passer with discontinuous transition between cannula and stylet is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the tissue trauma increases and the force required to advance the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is nested within the cannula in a retracted position, with the stylet's distal segment having an expanded outer diameter that substantially matches the cannula's outer diameter. This nesting arrangement creates a continuous outer diameter transition at the interface between cannula and stylet, eliminating discontinuities that cause tissue trauma while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Force
If a traditional suture passer with discontinuous transition is used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the force required to advance through soft tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet features a localized expanded outer diameter distal segment that matches the cannula's outer diameter, creating a continuous transition zone. This local modification at the critical interface area reduces the force required to advance through soft tissue by eliminating stress concentration points, while the rest of the stylet maintains its original simpler geometry for ease of manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the stylet is fully exposed for suture capture, then suture access is improved, but the tissue trauma increases due to discontinuous transition
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is designed to move dynamically between a retracted position (where the expanded distal segment is nested within the cannula, creating a continuous outer diameter and minimizing tissue trauma) and an extended position (where the stylet protrudes for suture capture). This dynamic positioning allows the device to optimize for either tissue protection or suture access depending on the operational phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture passer includes a stylet and a cannula having an open distal end defining a cannula outer diameter. The stylet has a proximal segment configured for receipt within the cannula and including a suture retention notch, and a distal segment having an expanded outer diameter substantially matching the cannula outer diameter. The distal segment of the stylet terminates at a distal cutting edge. The suture passer includes a retracted position in which the proximal segment of the stylet is received within the cannula through the open distal end and a shoulder defining a transition between the proximal segment and the distal segment abuts the open distal end of the cannula, and an extended position in which the suture retention notch is distally disposed relative to the open distal end of the cannula.