1. Auto-suture device for nasal surgery
Client: Dr. Benjamin Marcus
Department of Otolaryngology
Advisor: Professor Tyler
Mark Yarmarkovich~Leader
Joseph Cabelka~Communicator
Jennifer Wager~BSAC
Therese Rollmann~BWIG

2. Problem Statement
Develop device to reduce suturing process in nasal surgery (septoplasty)
Reduce OR costs ($60/min)
The device should mimic the procedure currently used by the surgeon

3. Design Constraints Reduce suturing time (less than 10 minutes)
Autoclavable or one-time use
Dimensions must conform to the nose
Cost up to $300 for disposable, $1500 for multiple use

4. Background: Nose
Septum: cartilage dividing nose into two chambers; 3-5 mm wide
Cartilage Young’s Modulus=10MPa
Mucous membrane lining each side of septum
Nostril width: 10mm-15mm
Flexible

5. Background: Septoplasty
Deviated septum
Septum is severely shifted from midline
Causes difficulty breathing, sleeping

6. Background: Septoplasty
Incision made to expose caudal end of septum
Cartilage excised to prevent overriding
Cartilage swung into alignment

7. Background: Suture Sutures Purse-string suture pattern Close incision
Strong, non-toxic polymer fiber
Absorbable
Purse-string suture pattern
Continuous
Circular
Inverting

8. Current Device
Autosuture devices currently available for bowel surgery
Large scale
Endostitch
Automatic Needle Passer

9. Materials Autoclavable or one-time use Light weight and easy to handle
Durable if multiple use
Titanium
Composite
Stainless Steel Grade 420
Medical Grade Plastic
(PEEK)
Density
4.42 g/cm3
7.75 g/cm3
1.32 g/cm3
Working Temperature
450°C
400°C
249°C

10. Design I: Mechanical Needle Passer
Needle passed with pulley system
Locked into place by notched edges

11. Design I: Mechanical Needle Passer
Pros
Mimics procedure
Manipulated by surgeon
Adjustable number of sutures
Cons
Many small parts
Difficult to manufacture
Difficult to autoclave
Requires dexterity

12. Design II: Clamp Clamped on either side of the septum
Suture is manually inserted through raised septum

13. Design II Pros Cons Easy to manufacture Can be disposable Safe
Not adjustable to size of nose
Not automatic

14. Design III: Magnetic Needle Passer
Magnetic field generated by coils secures needle
Switch controls magnetic field activation

15. Design III: Magnetic Needle Passer
Pros
Simple mechanism
Easy to manipulate
Mimics procedure
Adjustable number of sutures
Cons
Magnetic field must generate sufficient force to hold the needle in place
Size

16. Design Matrix Design I Design II Design III Total (50) 35 32 37
Suturing time (15) 11 8 13
Cost (5) 4 5
Manufacturability (5) 1 3
Safety (10) 7 9 6
Mimic procedure (10)
Size (5)
Total (50) 35 32 37

17. Future Work Discuss design options with client Build prototype
Test device for suture time and ease of use

18. References
Autosuture. 29 January 2007<
Azom. 6 March 2007<
Cornell. 27 February 2007<
Fact Sheet. 2 March 2007.<
Kortenbach, Juergen Andrew . “Automatic needle-passer suturing instrument .” Patent no. 5,814,
Lore, John. An Atlas of Head and Neck Surgery. 1988:Philadelphia.
Modern Plastics. 6 March 2007<
Septoplasty. 27 February 2007<
Septum. 7 March 2007 <