Suture Passer Capsulotomy Hip Joint Arthroscopy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive treatments for hip joint pathologies are challenging due to the joint's constrained geometry and delicate neurovascular structures, making it difficult to access and repair tissues like the fibrous capsule, which is a tough barrier that complicates arthroscopic procedures and limits workspace, hindering effective treatment of conditions like cam-type femoroacetabular impingement.
Innovation Solution
A novel suture passer device with a shaft, distal and proximal jaws, and inner and outer needles with hooks, designed to pass suture through the fibrous capsule, allowing for the laying open and subsequent suturing of the capsule during arthroscopic procedures, thereby increasing the workspace and facilitating treatment of hip joint pathologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally-invasive arthroscopic procedures are used to treat hip joint pathologies, then patient trauma and recovery time are reduced, but access to the joint interior is limited by the fibrous capsule and constrained geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The fibrous capsule is laid open (capsulotomy) before the actual pathology treatment to create adequate workspace. This preliminary action removes the barrier that would otherwise constrain subsequent surgical instruments and provide better visualization of the joint interior structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture passer device employs nested components where the inner needle is received within the outer needle, and both are contained within the handle assembly. This nesting allows the complex suture passing mechanism to be delivered through a minimally-invasive arthroscopic portal while maintaining full functionality for capsule suturing.
2Area of stationary object
If the fibrous capsule is laid open to increase workspace, then access and visualization improve, but the capsule must be subsequently closed to maintain joint integrity
Solution Approach 1:
Sutures serve as an intermediary element to close the laid-open fibrous capsule. The suture passer device delivers these sutures through the arthroscopic portal, allowing the capsule to be closed without requiring open surgery. The sutures mediate between the need for workspace during surgery and the need for capsule integrity afterward.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional open surgery is used to access the hip joint, then workspace and visualization are improved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture passer device is designed to perform multiple functions through a single arthroscopic portal: it can pass sutures for capsule closure, and the arthroscopic system itself can perform both diagnostic visualization and therapeutic intervention. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate open surgical incisions while maintaining adequate workspace through the capsulotomy.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture passer comprising:a shaft having an axis;a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon;a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft; anda needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage suture releasably supported on the first jaw;wherein the first jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the first jaw.