Transfascial Suture Instrument with Integrated Needle and Catch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for transfascial suture delivery in ventral hernia repair require external approaches, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, involving multiple punctures and the use of pre-tied sutures and suture passers.
Innovation Solution
Development of an instrument with a handle, elongated shaft, and a drive mechanism that includes a needle and suture catch, allowing for the delivery of sutures from within the abdominal cavity, enabling the suture to be pierced through the soft tissue repair prosthetic and abdominal wall tissue, with the option to shield the needle and use multiple extended positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional external approach methods are used for transfascial suture delivery, then the procedure can be performed with simple pre-tied sutures and suture passers, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and inefficient requiring multiple punctures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the needle, suture catch, and delivery shaft into a single integrated instrument that can be inserted through a single puncture. The needle and suture catch are merged into one cohesive device that performs multiple functions (piercing tissue, capturing suture, and delivering it through the fascia) without requiring separate instruments or multiple punctures, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery instrument is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a piercing needle and a suture delivery mechanism. The single instrument can pierce the abdominal wall, capture the suture material, and deliver it through the fascia, replacing the need for multiple separate instruments (suture passer, hemostat, clamp) used in conventional external approaches.
2Ease of operation
If multiple punctures are made in the abdominal wall for suture delivery, then sutures can be delivered using conventional instruments, but the number of punctures increases procedural complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The suture delivery function is segmented into distinct components within the single instrument: the needle portion for piercing, the suture catch mechanism for capturing suture material, and the shaft for delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently within the single puncture, reducing procedural complexity and time compared to using multiple separate instruments requiring multiple punctures.
3Productivity
If pre-tied sutures are used with external approach, then the suturing process is simplified, but the instrument manipulation becomes cumbersome requiring repeated insertions and extractions
Solution Approach 1:
The suture catch acts as an intermediary mechanism between the needle and the suture material. It captures and holds the suture within the instrument, allowing the suture to be delivered through the fascia without requiring external manipulation with separate instruments like hemostats or clamps. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall procedure by eliminating the need for repeated instrument insertions and extractions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for efficient and precise delivery of sutures from within the abdominal cavity, reducing the number of punctures and enabling the use of various suture materials, improving the efficiency and accuracy of transfascial suturing.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one needle has a sharp end adapted to pierce a soft tissue repair prosthetic and abdominal wall tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for delivering a suture transfascially may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and at least one needle that is moveable to an extended position beyond the end of the shaft. A suture may be delivered transfascially with the instrument. The instrument may include a suture catch associated with each needle for retaining and releasing a suture segment. A shield may be provided to shield the sharp end of each needle when it is moved to the extended position. A method of delivering a transfascial suture may include inserting an instrument into an abdominal cavity and deploying, from within the abdominal cavity, each needle through a soft tissue repair patch and then through at least part of the abdominal wall. A suture or suture segment may be advanced across the fascia with the at least one needle.