Vaginal Tissue Closure with Suction Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The closure of vaginal cuff tissue after procedures like hysterectomy is a tedious process that requires precise stitch placement to avoid complications such as vaginal cuff dehiscence, which can lead to abdominal tissue evisceration if not properly closed.
Innovation Solution
A vaginal tissue closure system comprising a tissue approximation device with a paddle that applies negative pressure to maintain tissue proximity and a tissue closure device with an end effector that positions and deploys sutures to close the opening, including features like suction apertures, jaw members, and light emitting diodes for improved visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional suture methods are used for vaginal cuff closure, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the closure process is tedious and time-consuming with risk of improper stitch placement
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into distinct functional modules: a tissue approximation device with paddle for aligning tissue edges, and a separate tissue closure device with end effector for suture deployment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall closure efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue approximation device with paddle is used beforehand to pre-align and approximate the vaginal cuff tissue edges before suture placement. This preliminary action ensures proper tissue positioning, making the subsequent suture placement more efficient and accurate, thereby improving productivity without compromising closure quality
2Manufacturing precision
If manual stitch placement is used, then the equipment required is simple, but precise stitch placement and spacing is difficult to achieve consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical stitch placement with a controlled mechanism that guides suture deployment. The end effector with jaw members provides structured engagement with the tissue, and the suture delivery mechanism ensures consistent spacing and placement, achieving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls critical parameters such as suture spacing, penetration depth, and tension through mechanical constraints and actuation mechanisms. By standardizing these parameters, the system achieves precise and consistent stitch placement without requiring complex manual skill, thereby improving precision while maintaining operational simplicity
3Reliability
If proper vaginal cuff closure is performed to prevent dehiscence, then patient safety is improved, but the closure procedure becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue approximation device with suction paddle is applied before suture placement to pre-align and secure the vaginal cuff tissue edges. This preliminary approximation ensures that when sutures are placed, the tissue is already properly positioned, reducing the time needed for adjustment and repositioning during the closure process, thereby maintaining high reliability while reducing overall procedure time
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines tissue approximation and suture delivery functions into an integrated workflow where the paddle device and closure device work sequentially. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate manual approximation steps and suture placement steps, streamlining the process to achieve reliable closure more efficiently
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
The system facilitates precise and efficient closure of vaginal cuff tissue, reducing the risk of dehiscence and complications by ensuring proper approximation and suturing of tissue, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of the closure process.
Implementation Method 1
The suction aperture is configured to apply negative pressure to vaginal tissue to maintain the tissue in close proximity to the paddle as the paddle moves relative to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
The end effector of the tissue closure device may include one or more light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue closure system for closing vaginal tissue includes a tissue closure device having an end effector supporting one or more sutures securable to vaginal tissue. The one or more sutures may be separated from the end effector and tied to the vaginal tissue. The tissue closure system may include a tissue approximation device configured to apply negative pressure to vaginal tissue for approximating portions of the vaginal tissue together.