Suturing Device Non-Planar Needle Receiving Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suturing devices face challenges with needle misalignment due to bodily tissue effects and blunt surfaces, leading to increased tissue dissection and invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suturing device with a non-planar needle receiving portion featuring converging walls and radial slots that move from a first to a second position, allowing for precise needle capture and minimizing tissue dissection through a minimally invasive approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing suturing devices use parallel walls and blunt surfaces in the needle catch portion, then the device structure is simple, but needle misalignment occurs due to tissue effects and blunt surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the traditional parallel flat walls with non-parallel curved walls that converge toward an aperture. This curved geometry creates a funnel-like structure that guides the needle into proper alignment as it enters the needle receiving portion, compensating for misalignment caused by tissue deformation during needle passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by using non-parallel walls with different angles relative to the longitudinal axis. The walls are configured with specific convergence angles that create an asymmetric pathway for the needle, allowing the device to accommodate and correct for asymmetric deformations that occur when the needle passes through bodily tissues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing suturing devices use multiple slots to accommodate misalignment, then misalignment tolerance is improved, but the device size increases requiring more tissue dissection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar slot structure to a three-dimensional converging wall structure. Instead of using multiple flat slots arranged in a plane, the invention creates a volumetric convergence zone where walls meet at an aperture, adding a dimensional aspect that provides misalignment tolerance while maintaining a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved, converging wall structure creates a funnel-like geometry that naturally guides needles from various entry angles into proper alignment. This curved structure provides misalignment tolerance equivalent to multiple slots but in a more space-efficient configuration that reduces the overall device cross-sectional area.
3Reliability
If existing suturing devices use parallel walls in the needle catch portion, then the structure is simple, but bodily tissues get stuck causing device misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The curved converging walls create a smooth, continuous surface that guides tissues and needles toward the aperture without creating sharp edges or flat surfaces where tissues can catch or stick. The gradual convergence prevents tissue entrapment while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using flat parallel walls that push tissues aside, the invention uses converging walls that gently guide tissues toward the aperture. The inversion of the traditional geometry transforms the interaction from forceful displacement to guided flow, reducing tissue sticking and misalignment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a suturing device (200) used to place sutures (235) inside the human body during various medical procedures. The suturing device includes an elongate body member (202), a needle deployment mechanism (234) and a needle receiving portion (294). The elongate body member has a distal portion that defines an opening (214). The needle deployment mechanism is disposed at least partially within the elongate body member for moving a needle (236) out of the opening at the distal portion of the elongate body member into a tissue; and the needle receiving portion is provided at the distal portion of the elongate body member to capture the needle. The needle receiving portion has a non-planar surface (213) with walls (239) that are non-parallel with respect to a longitudinal direction of the needle receiving portion such that the walls converge to form an aperture (215) formed in the needle receiving portion to receive the needle.