Suturing Device Cartridge System for Robotic Surgery Suture Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suture management within robotic surgical cases is inefficient, leading to increased operative times, knotting, fracturing, or accidental cutting of sutures, and frustration for surgeons, which hinders the frequent use of robotic technology.

Innovation Solution

A suturing device with a clamshell body that includes a suture retainer and a cartridge system, allowing for efficient suture management by winding the suture around the cartridge and positioning it around the suture retainer, making the suture accessible within the surgical site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If multiple shorter suture lengths are used instead of a single long suture, then suture management is improved and operative time is reduced, but total suture volume and expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperative timeVSAvoidtotal suture volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The suture is divided into multiple segments of appropriate lengths for different surgical tasks. The cartridge contains multiple suture segments that can be individually dispensed, allowing the surgeon to use only the needed length for each specific closure task rather than managing a single long suture throughout the entire procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple suture segments are pre-loaded into the cartridge in advance of the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation allows the surgeon to have pre-measured, task-specific suture lengths readily available, eliminating the need to cut and manage long sutures during the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If a single long suture is used throughout the procedure, then suture expense is reduced, but the risk of knotting, fracturing, or accidental cutting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture expenseVSAvoidsuture integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suture system is segmented into multiple independent segments within the cartridge, each of appropriate length for specific tasks. This segmentation prevents the issues associated with long sutures (knotting, fracturing, accidental cutting) while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using only the necessary suture material for each specific closure task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If multiple shorter suture lengths are used, then suture management is improved, but total expense on suture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture managementVSAvoidtotal suture expense

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge contains multiple pre-measured suture segments of appropriate lengths for different surgical tasks. This segmentation improves ease of operation by providing task-specific suture lengths without requiring the surgeon to cut and manage long sutures, while controlling expense by using only the necessary suture material for each specific closure task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple suture segments are pre-loaded into the cartridge in advance, with each segment appropriately sized for specific tasks. This preliminary preparation simplifies suture management during the procedure while controlling material expense by ensuring only the necessary suture lengths are used for each specific closure task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a cartridge system with multiple suture segments is used, then suture management and patient safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple suture segments are nested within a single cartridge structure, with each segment contained within the cartridge body. This nesting approach improves patient safety by providing controlled, task-specific suture segments while managing device complexity through a unified, integrated cartridge design that simplifies handling and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250176959A1Apparatus for closing a surgical site

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 MUNDAY GEORGE SWOPE

AI summary

A suturing device includes a body configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient. The body has a first side and a second side configured to be coupled together to close the body. A suture retainer is positioned within the body and configured to receive a suture. An opening is formed in a wall of the body. A portion of the suture is configured to be accessible through the opening when the body is closed so that the suture is accessible within the surgical site of the patient. A cartridge is configured to be removably inserted into the body when the body is open. The suture is configured to be wound around the cartridge to assist in positioning the suture around the suture retainer.