Suture Winding Device Rod Arrays Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture packaging technologies face challenges in efficiently winding and securing sutures with needles, particularly in maintaining tension and organizing sutures in a compact, accessible manner, which can lead to handling difficulties and inefficiencies during use.

Innovation Solution

A suture winding device featuring a base member with a holder and arrays of rods, a retainer package with throughholes, and a parking mechanism that allows for the controlled winding and tensioning of sutures around rods, forming loops while maintaining a predetermined angle and tension, and securely retaining the suture and needle within a compact retainer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a vacuum system is used to draw suture through ports, then suture can be received in tracks, but the device becomes complex and requires multiple components (vacuum source, ports, tracks)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuture packagingVSAvoidpackaging apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vacuum system and complex track structures from the packaging apparatus, replacing them with a simplified manual insertion process where sutures are directly placed into holders without requiring vacuum ports, tracks, or a vacuum source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system enables self-service by allowing direct manual placement of sutures into holders and needles into suture ends, eliminating the need for automated vacuum-based suture drawing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple workstations are used for packaging, then specific tasks can be performed at each station, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle packaging processVSAvoidmulti-workstation apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple packaging tasks into a single integrated holder structure that can accommodate both the suture winding mechanism and the needle insertion process, eliminating the need for separate workstations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: winding the suture, maintaining tension, positioning the needle, and securing the final package, replacing the need for specialized workstations for each task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If suture is looped within the package using tracks and rods, then suture is positioned, but the package structure becomes complex and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuture positioningVSAvoidpackage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex track and rod structures from the final package, retaining only the essential holder that maintains suture positioning through a simple, integrated design that is easier to handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is designed with flexible or thin-walled construction that allows easy manipulation and handling while still maintaining the necessary structural integrity for suture positioning and needle retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP1997437B1Suture winding device and methods of use thereof
Publication Date: 2011.02.02 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP1997437B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1997437B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1997437B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A suture winding device is provided that includes a holder and a base having a needle holder for receiving a needle with a quantity of attached suture attached therto. A plurality of rods is disposed on the base that may be arranged in one or more arrays. The plurality of rods at contribute to the alignment of a retainer disposed on the base that includes first and second members that may be joined together using pressure and/or heat. Prior to joining the first and second members of the retainer, the base may be rotated to form loops of suture around the arrays of rods.