Knotless Suture System with Beaded Locking Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical suture systems for tissue repair, particularly in minimally invasive procedures, face challenges with knot-tying difficulties and tissue damage due to friction-based holding mechanisms, which are inefficient and can cause complications during arthroscopic procedures like rotator cuff reattachment.

Innovation Solution

A surgical suture system featuring elongated flexible sutures with longitudinally spaced protuberances and a unique locking aperture design that allows one-way movement, preventing reverse travel and minimizing force required for suture passage while maximizing holding strength, thereby eliminating the need for knots and reducing tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If friction-based holding mechanisms are used to secure sutures in minimally invasive surgery, then suture retention is achieved, but tissue damage and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture retentionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces friction-based mechanical holding mechanisms with a mechanical interlocking system. The suture features protuberances that engage with corresponding recesses in the tissue, creating a positive mechanical lock rather than relying on friction. This substitution eliminates the need for high friction forces that cause tissue damage while maintaining secure suture retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture is segmented into multiple sections with distributed protuberances along its length. Instead of relying on a single friction-based anchoring point, the segmentation allows multiple engagement points with the tissue, distributing the holding force and reducing localized tissue damage while maintaining overall suture security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If knots are tied to secure sutures in rotator cuff reattachment, then tissue reattachment is achieved, but procedural difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue reattachment securityVSAvoidprocedural difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suture is pre-configured with protuberances during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex knot-tying procedures during surgery. The mechanical interlocking feature is built into the suture itself, allowing for simpler insertion and securing operations while maintaining reliable tissue reattachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The suture's protuberances automatically engage with the tissue's recesses through self-aligning mechanical interaction, eliminating the need for manual knot-tying by the surgeon. The system secures itself through the inherent mechanical interlocking design, significantly reducing procedural complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If high forces are applied during suture passage to ensure secure anchoring, then suture holding strength is improved, but tissue trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture holding strengthVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces force-dependent friction-based anchoring with a mechanical interlocking system. The protuberances on the suture engage with recesses in the tissue to create a positive mechanical lock, providing strong holding strength without requiring high application forces that would cause tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of suture-tissue interaction from friction-based (requiring high forces) to mechanical interlocking (requiring minimal forces). This parameter change allows the system to achieve strong holding strength through geometric engagement rather than force-dependent friction, thereby reducing tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10178989B2Surgical suture system, tissue restraints, and tissue anchors

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 ZIP TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A surgical suture system, tissue restraint/suture capture and tissue anchor for tissue repair and reattachment of torn tissue to a tissue substrate, medical, veterinary or dental prosthesis or medical implant. The system includes a plurality of tissue restraints/suture captures which each include a central locking aperture sized and configured to receive a beaded suture member passed therethrough which minimizes longitudinal tensioning and/or restraining movement, the “GO” force, of a beaded suture member in the forwardly direction through the locking apertures for suture tightening and which maximizes “NO-GO” force to pull the suture in the reverse direction. Uniquely configured tissue anchors and other medically implantable devices securely receive one of the tissue restraints/suture captures for tensioning of a suture member between tissue and the tissue anchor.