Vacuum-Assisted Suturing Clamp for Remote Tissue Passage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical suturing techniques face challenges in passing sutures through remote locations from the incision point, requiring large incisions and undermining, which can cause tissue damage and increase surgical risks, especially in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suturing device with an elongated member and vacuum port to capture tissue, a needle capturing assembly, and a needle pusher mechanism that allows multiple passes of the needle and suture through tissue, facilitated by a clamp mechanism for needle extraction and repositioning, with optional light and feedback systems for guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large incisions and extensive undermining are used to pass sutures through remote locations, then suture passage is achieved, but tissue damage and surgical risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delivery device as an intermediary tool that facilitates suture passage through remote locations without requiring large incisions. The device includes a needle holder, suture passer, and retrieval mechanism that work together to guide the suture through tissue remotely, eliminating the need for extensive undermining and reducing tissue damage while achieving effective suture placement
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sutures are used to achieve multiple passes, then suture coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal delivery device that can perform multiple suture passes using a single integrated system. The device includes a reusable needle holder and suture passer that can accommodate multiple needles and sutures, allowing the same device to be used repeatedly for multiple passes without requiring separate instruments for each suture, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a needle retrieval mechanism that allows the needle to be recovered after each pass through the tissue. The retrieval system uses a grasping instrument or magnetic mechanism to fetch the needle back through the delivery device, enabling the same needle and suture to be used for multiple passes without requiring new instruments for each operation, thus simplifying the overall device architecture
3Measurement precision
If endoscopic visualization is used to pass needle under direct visualization, then needle placement precision is improved, but incision size and undermining increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct endoscopic visualization with an alternative approach using a delivery device that provides tactile feedback and guided placement. The device incorporates alignment features, depth markers, and a structured insertion path that enable accurate needle placement without requiring large incisions for endoscopic equipment, thereby achieving precision through mechanical guidance rather than visual amplification
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
Enables secure suturing with minimal tissue undermining, reducing surgical risks and complications, and allowing multiple passes of the suture without the need for large incisions or extensive visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the cavity so that when the vacuum is applied to the cavity, the tissue is captured by the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A suturing device comprising an elongated member including a cavity formed in a surface thereof, a needle passage, and a vacuum port. When the elongated member is inserted into a body including tissue and a vacuum is applied to the cavity, the tissue is captured by the cavity. A needle pusher is operable to move a needle having a sutured attached thereto through the tissue until a first end of the needle is captured by a needle capturing assembly. A clamp coupled to the elongated member is used to extract the needle from the needle capturing assembly and reposition the needle with suture attached to be re-engaged by the needle pusher. The cavity may include a plurality of cavity portions for capturing multiple contiguous portions of the tissue such that a single pass of the needle and the suture results in the suturing of the multiple portions of the tissue.