Universal Ferrule With Indentations and Slits for Needle Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive surgical suturing devices require multiple ferrules for different needle types and dimensions, complicating equipment ordering and usage, as previous ferrule designs cannot reliably accommodate a range of needle sizes and shapes without deformation.
Innovation Solution
A ferrule design featuring three indentations and three slits, where the slits are longer and thinner than the indentations, allowing independent flexing to accommodate various needle diameters and shapes without permanent deformation, enabling use with multiple suturing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ferrule designs are used, then each needle type requires a specific ferrule, but this increases device complexity and inventory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule is designed with multiple indentations of varying depths and orientations that can accommodate different needle types, shapes, and dimensions. This universal design allows a single ferrule to function with multiple needle configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized ferrules and reducing inventory complexity while maintaining reliable function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule incorporates flexible elements including slits and varying depth indentations that allow the structure to dynamically adapt to different needle geometries. The slits enable the ferrule walls to flex and conform to various needle shapes, providing a reliable fit across different needle types without requiring multiple rigid ferrule designs.
2Manufacturing precision
If ferrules are designed for specific needle types, then the fit is precise, but this reduces adaptability to different needle sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule features indentations with different local qualities - varying depths, widths, and orientations at different locations around the ferrule circumference. This allows specific regions to precisely accommodate different needle types while the overall structure maintains adaptability through the combination of multiple specialized zones within a single ferrule.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule design incorporates slits that allow the physical parameters of the ferrule structure to change dynamically. The slits enable the ferrule walls to flex and deform to match various needle dimensions, transforming the rigid structure into an adaptable one that can precisely fit different needle types through controlled deformation.
3Productivity
If multiple ferrules are maintained for different procedures, then each procedure has optimized equipment, but this increases loss of time for ordering and tracking
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal ferrule that can accommodate multiple needle types and surgical procedures, the system eliminates the need to order and track multiple specialized ferrules. The single ferrule design maintains optimized performance across different procedures while reducing administrative time and inventory complexity.
4Device complexity
If a single ferrule design is used for all needle types, then inventory is simplified, but this reduces the reliability of the fit for specific needle shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule is segmented into multiple indentation zones with different geometries, each optimized for specific needle types. This segmentation allows the single ferrule to provide reliable, precise fits for various needle shapes while maintaining inventory simplicity, as each segmentation acts as a specialized interface within the unified structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2F
AI summary
A ferrule is disclosed for use with a surgical suturing device. The ferrule has a suture interface and a needle receptacle. The ferrule also has one or more indentations protruding into the needle receptacle. The ferrule further has one or more slits adjacent the one or more indentations. Another ferrule is disclosed for use with a surgical suturing device. The ferrule has a suture interface and a needle receptacle. The ferrule also has three indentations protruding into the needle receptacle. The ferrule further has three slits, each of the slits substantially centered between a different pair of indentations from the three indentations, and wherein each of the slits is longer and thinner than any one of the three indentations.