Suture Passing Device Shuttle Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture passing devices in minimally invasive surgery face challenges such as high force requirements for needle bending, risk of needle fracture, unintended anatomy engagement, and the need to remove the device from the surgical site for suture loading and unloading, which complicates the suturing process and safety.

Innovation Solution

A suture passing device with a sliding tube actuator and a shuttle mechanism that allows for the suture to be loaded and unloaded without removing the device from the surgical site, featuring a shuttle with a suture holder that can be translated through the tissue without bending, reducing the risk of needle fracture and improving safety by keeping the needle or shuttle entirely contained within the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bendable needle is used to pass suture through tissue, then the suture can be advanced through the tissue, but the needle requires high force for bending which results in excess strain and risk of fracture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle reliabilityVSAvoidforce for needle bending

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bending action from the needle by introducing a separate shuttle mechanism that passes through the tissue while the needle remains straight and stationary, eliminating the high force bending requirement and reducing strain on the needle component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the suture passing function into two independent components: a straight needle that holds the suture and a separate shuttle that is pushed through the tissue to carry the suture, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without the compromises required by a single bendable needle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a bendable needle is advanced to engage the ramp for deflecting the needle, then the suture can be passed through the tissue, but the needle may extend into unintended anatomy causing safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture passing reliabilityVSAvoidunintended anatomy engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the deflection function from the needle by using a separate shuttle mechanism that is pushed through the tissue in a controlled manner, eliminating the risk of the needle deflecting into unintended anatomy while maintaining the ability to pass suture through the tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a shuttle as an intermediary component between the needle and the tissue, where the shuttle carries the suture through the tissue while the needle remains stationary and contained within the apparatus, preventing direct needle-tissue interaction that could cause unintended engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus is removed from the surgical site to load and unload suture, then the suture can be exchanged, but the suturing process is complicated and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture exchange capabilityVSAvoidtime for device removal and repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the shuttle and suture loading mechanism within the apparatus housing, allowing the suture to be loaded and unloaded through a access port while the apparatus remains in position, enabling suture exchange without removing the entire device from the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the apparatus to perform suture loading and unloading operations independently while remaining in place, with the ability to access and replace sutures through an integrated access port without requiring removal or repositioning of the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the end segment of the suture is retrieved by retracting the entire apparatus, then the suture can be removed, but the apparatus must be removed from the surgical site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture retrieval easeVSAvoidtime for apparatus repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the suture retrieval function from the entire apparatus by providing a dedicated access port that allows the suture to be pulled through and removed independently, eliminating the need to retract or remove the entire apparatus from the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20240366216A1Method and apparatus for passing suture

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 CLAUSON CREATIVE ENGINEERING INC

AI summary

A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.