Handheld Suturing Device Needle Transfer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suturing devices pose a risk of needle stick injuries to users due to exposed needle points, leading to potential transmission of blood-borne pathogens and require costly safety measures and procedures.
Innovation Solution
A handheld suturing device with a needle transfer mechanism that grips and releases the needle, allowing it to be shuttled between grippers for safe capture and retraction, and a safety shield mechanism to prevent user contact with the needle during the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle point is exposed during suturing operation, then the user can easily manipulate and visualize the needle for accurate suturing, but the user is at risk of needle stick injuries and potential transmission of blood-borne pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the needle protection function into separate segments: a needle shield that covers the needle point during storage and transport, and a needle holder that secures the needle during insertion. This segmentation allows the needle to be both protected when not in use and accessible when needed for suturing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield is pre-positioned to cover the needle point before the suturing procedure begins. The needle holder is pre-configured to guide the needle along a safe trajectory. These preliminary actions ensure protection is already in place before the user manipulates the needle, reducing injury risk while maintaining ease of operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a safety shield mechanism is added to protect the needle, then the risk of needle stick injuries is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a disposable needle assembly where the needle, shield, and holder are integrated into a single-use unit. After one suturing operation, the entire assembly is discarded. This eliminates the need for complex reusable safety mechanisms that would require cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective needle protection
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield, needle holder, and suture material are merged into a single integrated needle assembly. This combination simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating separate components that would otherwise need to be assembled and disassembled, reducing device complexity while providing comprehensive needle protection
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing device of the present invention is in the form a compact, light-weight handheld device that includes a needle and suture assembly, a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle/suture (a “needle transfer mechanism” or “needle shuttle mechanism”), safely capturing the needle/suture upon exit from the patient's tissue, and returning the needle to a position such that the process of delivering additional sutures to the patient can be repeated. A safety shield mechanism ensures the user is protected from the needle at all times. The device of the present invention accommodates the right or left-handed user, rests comfortably in the user's hand, allows sufficient visualization of the procedure site, and permits the user to either control penetration depth of the needle or default to a device-determined depth. The present device permits the user to utilize a wrist-rotation (pivoting) suture delivery technique.