Design and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Automatic Stapling Device for Knotless Barbed Suture in Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Need

This study developed a novel automatic stapling device for improving the speed and stability of suturing in laparoscopic surgery.

Technical Solution

The stapling device included 3 components: driver module, actuator module, and transmission module.

Proof of concept

A negative water leakage test of the in vitro intestinal defect model preliminarily demonstrated the safety of the new automatic stapling device. The suturing time for skin and peritoneal defects through the automatic stapling device was significantly shorter than that through the ordinary needle-holder suture (P < .05). These 2 suture methods had good tissue alignment. The automatic suture showed less inflammatory cell infiltration and lower inflammatory response scores at the tissue incision on days 3 and 7 after surgery compared with the ordinary needle-holder suture, with statistically significant differences (P < .05).

Next steps

In the future, the device needs to be further optimized and the experimental needs to be supplemented to provide some evidence for clinical use.

Conclusion

This novel automatic stapling device for knotless barbed suture designed in this study has advantages of shorter suturing time and milder inflammatory responses than the ordinary needle-holder suture, safe and feasible in laparoscopic surgery.