Suturing Instrument Depth Adaptor for Uterine Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for endoscopic procedures are limited in accessing deep or obstructed body tissues, are complex, and require specialized training, making suturing a time-consuming and invasive process, especially for procedures like uterine prolapse correction without hysterectomy.
Innovation Solution
A suturing instrument with an elongate body member, needle deployment mechanism, and depth adaptors that allows precise control over needle penetration depth, enabling access to remote organs and tissues, and facilitating suturing procedures like uterine suspension without penetrating the entire vaginal wall thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a free needle and needle driver are used to pass sutures through the vaginal wall, then the suturing can be performed, but the procedure becomes difficult and time-consuming due to limited space to work in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the suturing instrument with depth adaptor) that mediates between the surgeon and the tissue. This instrument includes a depth adaptor that fits into the needle driver and controls the penetration depth, making the suturing process easier and faster by providing precise control in the limited pelvic space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of needle penetration depth by introducing a depth adaptor with adjustable depth stops. This allows precise control over how deep the needle penetrates the vaginal wall, transforming the suturing process from difficult and time-consuming to controlled and efficient, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If depth control is added to the suturing instrument, then precise tissue approximation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the depth control function into a separate depth adaptor component that can be attached to the needle driver. This segmentation allows the depth control mechanism to be added without redesigning the entire instrument, thereby achieving precise tissue approximation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the needle driver and the tissue. It provides the necessary depth control and precision for tissue approximation while acting as a simple attachment that doesn't significantly complicate the overall instrument structure, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle deployment mechanism, and a depth adaptor. The elongate body member includes a distal portion that defines an opening. The needle deployment mechanism is at least partially disposed within the elongate body member and moves the needle out of the suturing instrument and into tissue. The depth adaptor is disposed in the opening at the distal portion of the elongate body member and controls the depth that the needle penetrates into the tissue.