Reduced friction knotless suture routing

Abstract

To provide a new and innovative method of routing a strand of material for creating a self-locking construct that joins two objects.SOLUTION: A provided routing method according to the present invention includes a crossover point at which the routed strand of material crosses over itself thereby enabling the strand portions routed through one of the objects to travel in a same direction when the self-locking construct is cinched. The strand portions traveling in the same direction generates less friction between the portions than if the portions traveled in opposite directions. Accordingly, the provided routing method helps enable a self-locking construct that generates less friction than typical self-locking constructs, which thereby helps reduce the occurrences of weaknesses in the final self-locking construct. The reduced friction generation also helps increase an ease of use for a user when cinching the self-locking construct.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Priority claims This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 018,187, filed April 30, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates generally to self-locking suture structures. More specifically, this application provides an improved routing method for forming self-locking structures that reduces friction generation during tightening of the self-locking structures. [Background technology]

[0003] A suture may be woven or routed through itself between two objects so that the suture self-locks. However, typical methods for routing a suture to form this self-locking structure can result in friction being generated at the loose ends of the suture, causing suture loops to form. These suture loops can become trapped between one of the objects and the surface to which the object is clamped, which can cause user frustration and / or weakness in the final self-locking suture structure. Therefore, there is a need for suture routing that reduces or eliminates suture loop formation when clamping two objects together. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a new and innovative method for routing a strand of material (e.g., a suture) to form a self-locking suture structure that joins two objects. Compared to sutures routed by typical methods, the provided routing method reduces friction between portions of the suture as the routed suture is clamped between two objects, thereby reducing suture loop formation. The reduction in suture loop formation can enhance the ease of use of the self-locking suture structure for the user by helping to prevent the suture from becoming trapped between one of the objects and the surface to which the object is clamped.

[0005] In light of the technical features described herein, in a first aspect of the disclosure of the present application, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, but is not limited to, a method of routing a strand of material between a first object and a second object, thereby forming a self-locking structure, includes routing a leading end of the strand of material between the first object and the second object such that two portions of the strand of material are inserted through an opening in the first object and three portions of the strand of material are inserted through an opening in the second object, and such that when tension is applied to the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material, each of the two portions of the strand of material inserted through the opening in the first object advance in the same direction.

[0006] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the strand of material is a suture.

[0007] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the strand of material is a rope or string.

[0008] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

[0009] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

[0010] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor, and the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

[0011] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, routing the tip of the strand of material includes routing the tip of the strand of material from a first side of an opening of a second object to a first side of an opening of a first object, from a second side of the opening of the first object to a first side of an opening of a second object, and from a second side of the opening of a second object.

[0012] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the opening of the first object is a first opening of the first object, and the first object further includes a second opening, and the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material are positioned through the second opening of the first object.

[0013] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, a self-locking structure includes a first object including a first opening, a second object including a second opening, and a strand of material, wherein a leading end of the strand of material is routed between the first object and the second object such that two portions of the strand of material are inserted through the first opening of the first object and three portions of the strand of material are inserted through the second opening of the second object, and such that when tension is applied to the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material, each of the two portions of the strand of material inserted through the first opening of the first object advances in the same direction.

[0014] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material are joined at a connection point.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, a method for routing a strand of material between a first object and a second object, thereby forming a self-locking structure, includes inserting a leading end of the strand of material through a second opening of the second object so that the leading end enters a second side of the second opening and exits a first side of the second opening. The leading end of the strand of material is then inserted through a first opening of the first object so that the leading end enters the first side of the first opening and exits the second side of the first opening. The leading end of the strand of material is then inserted through a second opening of the second object so that the leading end enters the first side of the second opening and exits the second side of the second opening, thereby causing the leading end of the strand of material to cross over a portion of the strand of material. The leading end of the strand of material is then inserted through the first opening of the first object so that the leading end enters the second side of the first opening and exits the first side of the first opening. The distal end of the strand of material is then inserted through the second opening in the second object such that the distal end enters the second side of the second opening and exits the first side of the second opening.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, following inserting the tip of the strand of material through the second opening of the second object, the method further comprises inserting the tip of the strand of material through a third opening of the first object such that the tip of the strand of material enters a second side of the second opening of the second object and exits a first side of the second opening.

[0017] In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect unless otherwise specified, a trailing end of the strand of material is positioned through a third opening in the first object.

[0018] Additional features and advantages of the disclosed method and apparatus will be described in, and will be apparent from, the following detailed description and figures. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive, and in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the figures and description. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used herein has been chosen primarily for ease of reading and for explanatory purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1A] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1C] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1D] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1E] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1F] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1G] 1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1H]1A-1C illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material between two objects to form a self-locking structure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1A-1H are schematic illustrations of the movement of various portions of the strand of material of FIGS. 1A-1H as the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material are pulled, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the exemplary first object of FIGS. 1A-1H, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the exemplary second object of FIGS. 1A-1H, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1A-1C are perspective views of exemplary suture loops formed as a result of a typical suture routing method for forming a self-locking structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present disclosure provides a new and innovative method for routing a strand of material (e.g., a suture) to form a self-locking suture structure that joins two objects. More specifically, the provided suture routing method includes a crossover point where the routed suture crosses over itself, thereby allowing the suture segments routed through one of the objects to travel in the same direction when the suture is clamped. Suture segments traveling in the same direction generate less friction between them than segments traveling in opposite directions. The reduced friction helps prevent the formation of suture loops that can occur with typical suture routing methods for forming self-locking structures, which can occur between the object and the surface to which the object is clamped. For example, FIG. 5 shows a loop 508 of a suture 506 clamped between an object 504 and the surface of a plate 502 to which the object is clamped. The plate 502 abuts a bone 500. The loop 508 is formed in this example as a result of a typical suture routing method for forming a self-locking structure.

[0021] The objects joined by the provided self-locking suture structures can be any suitable object for fastening together separate objects. In some examples, the objects joined by the self-locking suture structures can be surgical buttons. In other examples, the objects joined by the self-locking suture structures can be surgical anchors. For example, a surgical button can be joined to another surgical button or a surgical anchor by a self-locking suture structure.

[0022] Although this specification describes the routing methods provided with respect to sutures, it will be understood that the routing methods provided may be implemented with strands of any suitable material (e.g., rope, string, etc.) to fasten two objects together.

[0023] 1A-1H illustrate a portion of an exemplary method for routing a strand of material 100 (e.g., a suture) between a first object 110 (e.g., a surgical button) and a second object 120 (e.g., a surgical button), thereby forming a self-locking structure 130. It should be understood that the illustrated forms / shapes of the first object 110 and the second object 120 are merely exemplary, and that in other examples, the first object 110 and / or the second object 120 may have other suitable forms / shapes. Perspective views of the exemplary first object 110 and the exemplary second object 120 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. Returning to FIGS. 1A-1H, the strand of material 100 includes a leading end 102 and a trailing end 104. The first object 110 includes an opening 304 (FIG. 3). First side 112 and second side 114 of opening 304 are shown in FIG. 1C but not shown in other figures solely for clarity of illustration. In some embodiments, first object 110 may include opening 306 ( FIG. 3 ). Second object 120 includes opening 122. The first side of opening 122 is visible in FIGS. 1A-1H , and the second side of opening 122 is opposite the first side and is not visible in FIGS. 1A-1H .

[0024] In some embodiments, an exemplary routing method may begin by inserting the tip 102 of the strand of material 100 through an opening 306 in a first object 110, as shown in FIG. 1A. The tip 102 of the strand of material 100 may then be inserted through an opening 122 in a second object 120, such that the tip 102 enters the opening 122 on its second side and exits the opening 122 on its first side, as shown in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the first object 110 may not include an opening 306, and in such embodiments, an exemplary routing method may begin with inserting the tip 102 of the strand of material 100 through an opening 122 in a second object 120, such that the tip 102 enters the opening 122 on its second side and exits the opening 122 on its first side. For example, the first object 110 may be replaced by a second object 120, and the strand of material 100 may be routed between two separate second objects 120, each including only an opening 122.

[0025] The tip 102 of the strand of material 100 may then be inserted through the opening 304 of the first object 110 such that the tip 102 enters the opening 304 on its first side 112 and exits the opening 304 on its second side 114, as shown in FIG. 1C. The tip 102 of the strand of material 100 may then be routed such that the strand of material 100 crosses over itself (e.g., at the intersection 106), as shown in FIG. 1D. Thereafter, the tip 102 of the strand of material 100 is routed through the opening 122 of the second object 120 such that the tip 102 enters the opening 122 on its first side and exits the opening 122 on its second side, as shown in FIG. 1E. Stated another way, tip 102 is inserted into the same side of opening 122 of second object 120 (e.g., the first side) as the side from which tip 102 last exited opening 122 (e.g., compare FIGS. 1B and 1E ). While not shown for clarity, tip 102 of strand of material 100 may be routed through one or more openings formed in strand of material 100 as tip 102 is routed through opening 122. Stated another way, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, strand of material 100 is routed through itself as tip 102 is routed through opening 122 as part of forming the self-locking nature of self-locking structure 130.

[0026] The tip 102 of the strand of material 100 may then be inserted through the opening 304 of the first object 110, such that the tip 102 enters the opening 304 on its second side 114 and exits the opening 304 on its first side 112, as shown in FIG. 1F. The tip 102 of the strand of material 100 is then routed through the opening 122 of the second object 120, such that the tip 102 enters the opening 122 on its second side and exits the opening 122 on its first side, as shown in FIG. 1G. Stated another way, the tip 102 is inserted into the same side (e.g., the second side) of the opening 122 of the second object 120 as the side from which the tip 102 last exited the opening 122 (e.g., compare FIG. 1E with FIG. 1G). 1E , although not shown, the tip 102 of the strand of material 100 may be re-routed through one or more openings formed in the strand of material 100 when the tip 102 is routed through the opening 122. Stated differently, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the strand of material 100 is routed through itself when the tip 102 is routed through the opening 122 as part of forming the self-locking nature of the self-locking structure 130.

[0027] In some embodiments, the leading end 102 of the strand of material 100 may then be inserted through the opening 306 of the object 110 such that the leading end 102 meets the trailing end 104 of the strand of material 100. In other embodiments, the leading end 102 of the strand of material can pass through the first object 110 relative to the second object 120 such that the trailing end 104 of the strand of material meets the leading end 104 of the strand of material. For example, the first object 110 may not include an opening 306 in such embodiments. Once the leading end 102 and the trailing end 104 of the strand of material 100 are on the same side of the first object 110, the exemplary routing method is complete, thereby forming a self-locking structure 130. In some embodiments, the leading end 102 and the trailing end 104 may be joined at a connection point 200 (e.g., FIG. 2 ), such as by a knot.

[0028] It should be understood that the exemplary routing methods described above may alternatively be implemented in reverse. For example, the leading end 102 and trailing end 104 of the strand of material 100 may be switched, and the leading end 102 may be routed between the first object 110 and the second object 120, such that the leading end 102 follows the routing illustrated in reverse order (e.g., FIGS. 1H through 1A).

[0029] With the self-locking structure 130 assembled and the first and second objects 110 and 120 held in place (e.g., by bone), the leading end 102 and trailing end 104 of the strand of material 100 may be tensioned or pulled to introduce tension into the strand of material 100 and clamp the first object 110 and the second object 120 together. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the movement of various portions of the strand of material 100, as indicated by the arrows shown, when the leading end 102 and trailing end 104 of the strand of material 100 are pulled in the direction of the arrow 204. Although nothing is shown in Figure 2 for the first object 110 and the second object 120, it can be assumed that the first object 110 and the second object 120 are maintained in their respective positions when the leading end 102 and trailing end 104 of the strand of material 100 are pulled.

[0030] First object 110 is shown as transparent in FIG. 2 to allow for viewing of the portions of strand of material 100 routed through opening 304 and opening 306. As highlighted by dashed circle 202, it can be seen that each of the two portions of strand of material 100 routed through opening 304 in first object 110 travels in the same direction as the leading end 102 and trailing end 104 of strand of material 100 are pulled. As will be appreciated in light of the foregoing description of the exemplary routing method, this same direction of travel for both portions of strand of material 100 routed through opening 304 is made possible by the inclusion of intersection point 106 in the routing method.

[0031] The same travel direction for both portions of the strand of material 100 routed through the opening 304 helps reduce friction between these portions of the strand of material 100. For example, if these two portions traveled in opposite directions, they would rub against each other more than two portions traveling in the same direction. Thus, more friction is created by the two portions traveling in opposite directions. In some cases, the friction created can interfere with or affect the travel of some portions of the strand of material 100 as the leading and trailing ends 102 and 104 of the strand of material 100 are pulled, thereby causing loops to form in the strand of material 100. These loops can become trapped between the first object 110 and the surface to which the object is fastened, which can create weaknesses in the final self-locking structure 130 and / or reduce user usability when fastened. Thus, the provided method of routing the strand of material 100 helps enable the self-locking structure 130 to generate less friction than typical self-locking structures, thereby helping to increase ease of use for the user when fastening the self-locking structure 130 by reducing the formation of loops. In some cases, the reduction in loop formation helps to reduce the occurrence of weaknesses in the final self-locking structure.

[0032] 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary first object 110. In this example, the first object 110 is a surgical button that may be placed on a patient. The exemplary first object 110 may include a head 300 that is integral with or attached to a peg 302. An opening 304 in the exemplary first object 110 is defined by the peg 302. The head 300 includes an opening 306 in the exemplary first object 110.

[0033] 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary second object 120. In this example, the second object 120 is a surgical button that may be placed on a patient. The exemplary second object 120 may include a base 400 integral with or connected to wings 402, and wings 404 extending from the base 400. An opening 122 in the exemplary second object 120 is defined by the base 400.

[0034] Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to make full use of the claimed invention. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein should be construed as merely illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes can be made to the details of the above-described examples without departing from the basic principles described. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the examples specifically disclosed in the above description are within the scope of the appended claims. For example, any suitable combination of features of the various examples described is contemplated.

Claims

1. 1. A method of routing a strand of material between a first object and a second object, thereby forming a self-locking structure, comprising: routing the leading end of the strand of material between the first object and the second object such that two portions of the strand of material are inserted through an opening in the first object and three portions of the strand of material are inserted through an opening in the second object, and such that when tension is applied to the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material, each of the two portions of the strand of material inserted through the opening in the first object travels in the same direction. A method for routing a strand of material, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the strand of material is a suture.

3. 10. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 1, wherein the strand of material is a rope or string.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

5. 10. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 1, wherein the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

6. 10. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 1, wherein the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor and the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

7. Routing the distal end of the strand of material comprises: routing the distal end of the strand of material from a first side of the opening of the second object to a first side of the opening of the first object, from a second side of the opening of the first object to the first side of the opening of the second object, and from a second side of the opening of the second object.

10. A method for routing strands of material according to claim 1, comprising:

8. 10. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 1, wherein the opening in the first object is a first opening in the first object, the first object further comprising a second opening, and the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material are positioned through the second opening in the first object.

9. A self-locking structure, a first object including a first opening; a second object including a second opening; a strand of material, wherein a leading end of the strand of material is routed between the first object and the second object such that two portions of the strand of material are inserted through the first opening of the first object and three portions of the strand of material are inserted through the second opening of the second object, and such that when tension is applied to the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material, each of the two portions of the strand of material inserted through the first opening of the first object travels in the same direction; Self-locking structure.

10. 10. The self-locking structure of claim 9, wherein the leading and trailing ends of the strand of material are joined at a connection point.

11. The self-locking structure of claim 9 , wherein the strand of material is a suture.

12. 10. The self-locking structure of claim 9, wherein the strand of material is a rope or string.

13. 10. The self-locking structure of claim 9, wherein the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor and the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

14. Routing the distal end of the strand of material comprises: routing the distal end of the strand of material from a first side of the opening of the second object to a first side of the opening of the first object, from a second side of the opening of the first object to the first side of the opening of the second object, and from a second side of the opening of the second object. The self-locking structure of claim 9, comprising:

15. 1. A method of routing a strand of material between a first object and a second object, thereby forming a self-locking structure, comprising: inserting the distal end of the strand of material through the second opening of the second object such that the distal end enters a second side of the second opening and exits a first side of the second opening; then inserting the distal end of the strand of material through a first opening of the first object such that the distal end enters a first side of the first opening and exits a second side of the first opening; then inserting the leading end of the strand of material through the second opening of the second object such that the leading end enters the first side of the second opening and exits the second side of the second opening, thereby traversing the leading end of the strand of material across a portion of the strand of material; then inserting the distal end of the strand of material through the first opening of the first object such that the distal end enters the second side of the first opening and exits the first side of the first opening; then inserting the distal end of the strand of material through the second opening of the second object such that the distal end enters the second side of the second opening and exits the first side of the second opening; A method for routing a strand of material, comprising:

16. 16. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 15, wherein following inserting the leading end through the second opening of the second object such that the leading end of the strand of material enters the second side of the second opening and exits the first side of the second opening, the method further comprises inserting the leading end of the strand of material through a third opening of the first object.

17. 17. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 16, wherein a trailing end of the strand of material is positioned through the third opening.

18. 16. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 15, wherein the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

19. 16. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 15, wherein the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

20. 16. The method of routing a strand of material of claim 15, wherein the first object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor and the second object is a surgical button or a surgical anchor.

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