Adjustable Suture-Button Loop for Knotless Ankle Syndesmosis Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle syndesmosis repair techniques require knot-tying to secure fixation devices, which can be cumbersome and may not provide optimal stability.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable, self-locking knotless button/loop construct using two fixation devices connected by a flexible loop, allowing for secure fixation without knots, and an adjustable loop length to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If knot-tying is used to secure fixation devices, then secure fixation is achieved, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The suture-button construct is designed to secure itself without requiring manual knot-tying. The button itself acts as the fastening mechanism, engaging with the bone surface through its geometric shape and material properties, thereby eliminating the need for surgical knots while maintaining fixation security.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the surgical procedure. By removing this cumbersome operation, the procedure becomes simpler and faster while the button construct maintains its fixation function through its inherent design features.
2Reliability
If knot-tying is used to secure fixation devices, then secure fixation is achieved, but the surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-securing button construct eliminates the time-consuming knot-tying process. The button is inserted and immediately engages with the bone surface through its designed geometry, providing fixation without requiring additional surgical time for knot manipulation and tying.
Solution Approach 2:
The button construct is pre-configured with its securing mechanism built into its structure. This preliminary design allows for rapid insertion and immediate engagement with the bone, eliminating the need for time-consuming intraoperative knot-tying operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fixation construct is used, then stable fixation is achieved, but adaptability to different anatomical conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suture-button construct incorporates a flexible suture material that allows for dynamic adjustment during insertion. The button can be positioned at different locations along the fibula, and the flexible suture enables adaptation to varying anatomical conditions while maintaining stable fixation through the button-bone engagement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable, knotless button/loop construct for fixation of ankle syndesmosis tibio-fibular diastasis and an associated method of ankle repair using the same. The knotless construct comprises a pair of buttons attached to a flexible, continuous, self-cinching, adjustable loop integrated with two splices that are interconnected. The knotless construct is passed through fibular and tibia tunnels and the buttons are secured on the cortical surfaces of tibia and fibula. One of the buttons (for example, an oblong button) is secured on the medial side of the tibia by passing the button and the flexible, adjustable loop though the fibular and tibia tunnels and then flipping and seating the button outside the tibia. The length of the flexible adjustable loop is adjusted so that the second button (for example, a round button) is appropriately secured on the lateral fibula.