516: Compact Suture Device

Medicine has seen tremendous advances in the past centuries, while suturing techniques and instrumentation have largely remained static. Suturing consists of physicians and other healthcare providers manually driving a needle with a thread through both sides of an open wound for approximation. This technique has proven to be the most effective at closing wounds and involves several tools including the use of a needle driver, toothed forceps, scissors and multiple needles and threads, which can be physically tasking and time-consuming. At the end of a surgical procedure, suturing a wound may take anywhere between 30-45 minutes depending on the size of the wound, while operating rooms in the United States may range anywhere from $400-$6000 an hour. Automating the suturing process can ease the mental and physical strain on healthcare professionals and can reduce the overall time and cost spent suturing. 

To optimize surgical efficiency and promote cost-effectiveness, we developed a compact wound closing device to enhance the suturing process during medical procedures. To improve the suturing process, we analyzed three components: a needle puncturing the skin, a knot tying mechanism and device ease of use. To drive the needle through skin, a mechanism comprised of a set of gears pushes the needle along a track. For knot tying and increasing ease of use, the device has a disposable part that comes with a pre-loaded suture. The pre-loaded suture has four pre-looped loops. The loops are pushed out into the path of the needle so it is hooked, and the surgeon pulls the suture to secure the knot. Additionally, the disposable part can snap on the pen, further increasing usability. 

This device produces a consistent output along the wound, decreases time spent in surgery, and improves the physical and mental fatigue of the healthcare professionals, while targeting surgical precision and effectiveness.