Suture Rack Layout for Untangled Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suture management during minimally invasive surgical procedures, particularly aortic valve replacement, is challenging due to the need for efficient organization and untangling of multiple sutures, especially in confined spaces, requiring improved apparatuses that interact efficiently with modern surgical tools.

Innovation Solution

A rack and apparatus for suture management featuring multiple cassette locations with inside and outside holders, suture grooves, rack connection points, and stabilizing feet, designed to organize and stabilize sutures, and can be attached to surgical equipment holders using bolts and nuts, with optional soft inserts for color-coded identification and secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple sutures are managed in confined surgical spaces, then surgical procedure completion is enabled, but suture tangling and organization difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture organizationVSAvoidsuture management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suture management system divides sutures into separate organizational units including individual suture spools, suture holders, and cassette locations. Each suture can be independently managed within its designated compartment, preventing tangling while maintaining overall system organization during minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a hierarchical nesting structure where suture spools are placed within suture holders, which are then positioned within cassette locations on the rack. This nested arrangement allows multiple sutures to be organized in a compact configuration that fits within confined surgical spaces while maintaining individual accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If suture management apparatus is attached to surgical equipment, then surgical efficiency is enhanced, but attachment stability and positioning precision are challenged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rack is designed with universal attachment capabilities that can interface with multiple types of surgical equipment including robotic surgical systems and traditional surgical tables. The attachment mechanism incorporates standardized connection points and mounting options that ensure stable positioning across different surgical platforms, enhancing versatility without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for preliminary attachment and positioning of the suture management rack before the surgical procedure begins. This enables surgical staff to pre-organize sutures in their designated holders and cassettes, ensuring optimal positioning and stability is established prior to the start of the procedure, thereby enhancing both efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If suture holders and organizers are added to the system, then suture tangling is reduced, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture untanglingVSAvoidsuture management apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes vertical stacking and three-dimensional spatial organization to arrange suture holders and cassettes on the rack. By transitioning from a two-dimensional surface arrangement to a three-dimensional vertical configuration, the system accommodates multiple suture organization components without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint, thus reducing the overall volume occupied while maintaining effective suture separation and organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250339145A1Apparatus for suture management and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 LSI SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A rack and an apparatus for suture management are disclosed. The apparatus for suture management includes one or more racks, each rack including a plurality of cassette locations, each cassette location having an inside suture holder, an outside suture holder, and a cassette receiver. The apparatus for suture management also includes a plurality of suture grooves. The apparatus for suture management further includes a plurality of rack connection points. The apparatus for suture management also includes an attachment feature which may accept another surgical tool or mounting adapter.