Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced Suturing System with Adaptive Needle and Automated Tension Control

Publication ID: 24-11857177_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Suturing System with Adaptive Needle and Automated Tension Control,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857177_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857177_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,177.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved suturing system that incorporates adaptive needle length, automated suture tension control, and enhanced safety features to facilitate efficient and precise suturing along a path.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent for the method and apparatus for suturing along a path has limitations in terms of needle length adjustment, suture tension control, and safety features. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an adaptive spiral suturing needle, automated suture tension control, and enhanced safety features to improve the overall suturing process.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced suturing system consists of a spiral suturing needle with adjustable length, a driving mechanism, a suture-taking-up mechanism with automated tension control, and a recovery mechanism with enhanced safety features. The spiral suturing needle's length can be adjusted based on the sutured material's properties, ensuring optimal suturing performance. The suture-taking-up mechanism is configured to automatically adjust the suture tension based on the sutured material's elasticity, preventing excessive tension and ensuring a secure suture. The recovery mechanism is designed to automatically retract the spiral suturing needle upon completion of the suturing process, minimizing the risk of accidental punctures. Additionally, the system can be integrated with an inner strut having a dynamic diameter adjustment mechanism to accommodate various sutured material sizes and shapes.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces several novel features, including the adaptive spiral suturing needle, automated suture tension control, and enhanced safety features. These features provide a significant improvement over the original patent, enabling more efficient, precise, and safe suturing along a path.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include using different types of needles, such as retractable or coated needles, or incorporating additional safety features, such as sensors to detect potential punctures. The system could also be adapted for use in various medical specialties, such as cardiovascular or neurological surgery.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced suturing system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of cardiovascular, neurological, and orthopedic surgery. The system's ability to improve suturing efficiency, precision, and safety could lead to increased adoption and market share.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/0469
A A61 A61B17/0491
A A61 A61B2017/00367
A A61 A61B2017/047
A A61 A61B2017/0475
A A61 A61B2017/0479
A A61 A61B2017/0496
A A61 A61B2017/0498
A A61 A61B2017/06076
A A61 A61F2002/075
A A61 A61F2240/001

Field of Art

Medical device engineering, specifically surgical suturing technologies and minimally invasive surgical instrumentation, with expertise in mechanical design, biomechanical systems, and precision medical apparatus

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in surgical instrument design, familiar with mechanical actuation, needle mechanics, and medical device optimization techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's suturing apparatus by applying known design optimization techniques. The disclosed adaptive needle length, automated tension control, and safety mechanisms are logical extensions of the original patent's core suturing technology. These variations demonstrate standard problem-solving approaches in medical device engineering that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking incremental performance enhancements.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Spiral suturing needle with fixed configuration
PTD Variation
Spiral suturing needle with adjustable length based on sutured material properties
Obviousness Reasoning
Adjustable component lengths are a standard design optimization technique, and a PHOSITA would recognize that needle adaptability improves surgical precision across different tissue types
Source Patent Element
Basic suture-taking-up mechanism
PTD Variation
Automated suture tension control mechanism
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing feedback-based tension control is a predictable enhancement using known control system engineering principles to improve suturing consistency
Source Patent Element
Static inner strut design
PTD Variation
Inner strut with dynamic diameter adjustment mechanism
Obviousness Reasoning
Accommodating variable anatomical requirements through adjustable component geometry represents a standard design approach for medical devices with diverse application scenarios
Source Patent Element
Manual needle retraction process
PTD Variation
Automatic needle retraction safety mechanism
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing automated safety features is a foreseeable improvement driven by medical device risk mitigation strategies and known human factors engineering principles
Source Patent Element
Basic spiral suturing needle
PTD Variation
Needle with lubricant coating to reduce friction
Obviousness Reasoning
Surface modification to improve mechanical performance is a routine engineering approach with predictable outcomes in medical device design
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857177 and the technical variations disclosed herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed innovations obvious and lacking inventive step. The incremental improvements represent standard engineering problem-solving techniques that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize surgical suturing technologies through predictable mechanical and procedural enhancements.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,177
TitleMethod for suturing along path and apparatus thereof
Assignee(s)Jiangnan University