Tri-lobe Ferrule Holder Prevents Suture Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suture jamming occurs between the ferrule and the ferrule holder during rearming in surgical suturing instruments due to improper suture orientation, leading to irreversible jamming and rendering the device unusable.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of longitudinally oriented grooves or chambers in the ferrule compartment, known as the tri-lobe clearance feature, provides additional clearance space while maintaining precise alignment of the ferrule, allowing for proper suture orientation and easy removal even if the suture is not initially oriented correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a round ferrule compartment with a slot is used, then the ferrule is precisely held in place for needle targeting, but the suture can become jammed between the ferrule and compartment wall during rearming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveferrule alignment precisionVSAvoidsuture rearming ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The round ferrule compartment is segmented into a tri-lobe configuration with three distinct lobes formed by longitudinal grooves. This segmentation creates clearance spaces between the lobes that prevent suture jamming while maintaining ferrule alignment through the three contact areas at the lobes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the ferrule compartment are given different functions: the three lobes provide localized contact areas for precise ferrule alignment and retention, while the grooves between lobes provide clearance spaces that allow suture movement and prevent jamming during rearming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a snug round ferrule compartment is used, then the ferrule is securely retained, but the device becomes unusable when suture jamming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveferrule retention reliabilityVSAvoiddevice salvageability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tri-lobe clearance features are designed in advance to compensate for potential suture orientation errors during rearming. The clearance spaces act as a cushion that absorbs the harmful effect of improper suture positioning, preventing jamming and allowing the device to remain usable even when surgeons do not perfectly orient the suture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If clearance space is added to prevent suture jamming, then suture orientation tolerance is improved, but ferrule alignment precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture orientation toleranceVSAvoidferrule alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The compartment is segmented into lobes and grooves, where the lobes maintain alignment precision through contact areas while the grooves provide clearance for suture orientation tolerance. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without compromising either.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10231729B2Ferrule holder with suture relief lobes

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 LSI SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A surgical suturing instrument has a chamber for receiving and aligning a ferrule with a reciprocating needle. The chamber includes a plurality of protuberant concave and convex surfaces for positioning and aligning the ferrule within the chamber and the plurality of suture receiving chambers disposed between the aligning ridges for receiving a suture and preventing the suture from jamming the ferrule in the chamber.