Sidewinder — A Laparoscopic Needle Driver for Intracorporeal Knot Tying

A reusable, fast, and easy to use needle that gives the surgeon flexibility in suture placement and type

Background

Laparoscopic, endoscopic, and other minimal access methods are the standard approach for most common surgeries. One of the essential skills that a surgeon must acquire for successful completion of these surgeries is that of forming a knot within the patient body. Significant practice is needed to master this skill and it is often the slowest and most challenging part of a procedure. Current solutions that are intended to facilitate knot tying include clips and crimping devices that help the surgeon in knot tying, and passing devices that enable quick knot formation. However, these existing solutions impose restrictions on the ways the surgeon can steer the needle and the suture. Therefore, there is an urgent need for easy-to-use devices that enable quick knot tying in minimal access surgeries.

Technology Overview

This invention is a device that enables the surgeon to form a knot quickly and efficiently, without requiring significant practice. The invention is based on the “winding method” of knot tying, which is simpler, faster, and easier to learn than the more common loop method. The device is a standard needle driver with an additional rotating segment close to the needle holder. The surgeon can use a trigger mechanism to rotate this segment, independent of the rest of the device, in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The rotating segment houses a magnet. To form a knot, the surgeon grabs one end of the suture using the tip of the needle holder, places the other end of the suture on the rotating segment's magnet, and rotates the segment one full revolution. This will form a loop. The surgeon then pulls the tail of the suture through the loop to create a square knot.

Several different embodiments of the invention have been implemented as prototypes and CAD drawings. Figure 1.

Benefits

• Reusable
• Easy to learn
• Fast and easy to use
• Gives the surgeon great flexibility in the type and placement of suture
• Requires a smaller port than Endostitch and Proxisure

Applications

• Laparoscopy
• Thoracoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Other minimal access procedures

IP Status

• Patent application submitted