Adjustable Continuous Filament Suture with Locking Splice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current continuous suture loops face challenges in efficiently securing soft tissue repairs, particularly in procedures like ACL reconstruction, due to difficulties in achieving optimal tension and risk of knot loosening or breakage, and are often complex to use with multiple components increasing the likelihood of failure.
Innovation Solution
A continuous, adjustable suture device constructed from a single line of filament with a nonadjustable and adjustable portion, utilizing a locking Brummel splice and a single free segment that can be tensioned to secure and shrink the adjustable loop, preventing expansion, and integrated with a suture anchor for secure tissue fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple strands of suture and external structures such as sleeves are used to form adjustable portion, then adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustable portion and the suture strand into a single continuous filament structure. The adjustable portion is formed by looping the same continuous filament back through itself, eliminating the need for separate strands and external structures like sleeves. This integration maintains adjustability while significantly reducing device complexity and the number of components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple strands and external structures are used for adjustable portion, then adjustability is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased likelihood of failure
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the adjustable portion into a single continuous filament looped through itself, the patent eliminates multiple separate components that could fail independently. The single-structure design reduces the probability of component failure and removes potential snagging points associated with multiple strands and external structures.
3Device complexity
If standard continuous suture loop is used, then simplicity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic adjustable loop structure where the filament can be easily tensioned and released. The adjustable portion allows the operator to control tension by pulling on the free end of the filament, which tightens the loop around the graft, and then releasing it to allow adjustment. This dynamic mechanism greatly improves ease of operation while maintaining relative simplicity.
4Device complexity
If standard continuous suture loop is used, then simplicity is improved, but reliability decreases due to risk of knot loosening or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying step from the fixation process by using a continuous filament that forms a loop around the graft and secures it through friction and tension rather than knots. The filament is passed through a button or anchor that holds it in place without requiring knots, eliminating the risk of knot loosening or breakage while maintaining simplicity of the overall structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of assembling an adjustable continuous filament assembly (10) whereby a single length of filament is spliced to form a nonadjustable portion (11) and a single free segment (13). The single free segment (13) is introduced into the inner core of the nonadjustable portion (11) at a first position (15). The single free segment (13) is passed through at least a portion of the inner core of the nonadjustable portion (11). The single free segment (13) is withdrawn from the nonadjustable portion (11) at a second position (18), thereby forming an adjustable portion (12) secured to the nonadjustable portion (11) and adjustable by the single free segment (13).