Blade-Driven Suture Instrument for Bone and Cartilage Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical techniques are inadequate for suturing bone or cartilage tissues, especially in arthroscopic procedures, where manual needle and suture methods are impractical due to the limited surgical field.

Innovation Solution

A surgical suture system utilizing blades that extend from a withdrawn position to make incisions in tissues, driven by a longitudinal force to attach suture threads or staples, allowing for single or continuous stitching on various tissue types, including bone, using a mechanism with a movable internal cylinder and external cylinder with a screw and groove system for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual needle and suture methods are used, then suturing can be performed on soft tissues, but it becomes impractical in arthroscopic procedures with limited surgical field access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of suturing operationVSAvoidadaptability to different tissue types and surgical approaches

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual needle and suture system with an automated blade-driven suture system. The blade mechanism automatically cuts the suture thread and creates anchoring points in the tissue, eliminating the need for manual needle manipulation and enabling arthroscopic application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a blade as an intermediary element between the suture thread and the tissue. The blade first creates an incision or anchoring point in the tissue, then the suture thread is pulled through, effectively mediating the connection between the suture and the tissue structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If continuous suture with thread is used, then joining multiple tissue layers is possible, but it cannot be applied to bone or cartilage tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to various tissue typesVSAvoidreliability of suture join

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of tissue interaction from puncturing (needle) to cutting and anchoring (blade). The blade creates controlled incisions and anchoring points in the tissue, allowing the suture to be reliably attached to bone, cartilage, and other dense tissues that cannot be penetrated by conventional needles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If arthroscopic suture is attempted with traditional needle and suture, then minimally invasive approach is maintained, but the reduced surgical field size makes suturing almost impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of arthroscopic suturingVSAvoidsurgical field area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual needle manipulation system with an automated blade-driven system that can be operated through arthroscopic instruments. The blade mechanism automatically creates anchoring points and cuts the suture thread, eliminating the need for manual dexterity in the confined arthroscopic surgical field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8628546B2Surgical instrument for suturing the skeletal muscle system and surgical technique using same

Publication Date: 2014.01.14 GARCIA PEDRO GUILLEN

AI summary

Surgical suture instrument for the muscular-skeletal system and the surgical technique used by same. A surgical suture system includes an instrument providing for the suture of muscular-skeletal system tissues by the use of blades which go from a withdrawn position to a position for the incision of the tissue to be sutured. The blades carry the suture, which is attached to the tissue by the incision of the blades, in response to a drive force aimed longitudinally from back to front, towards the surgical field. The instrument and the surgical technique allow for single or continuous stitching of suture on all tissue types. Its use in bone suture is particularly surprising, making it possible to join bones, implants, grafts, chondrocyte membranes, flaps, tendons, cartilage, etc. The surgical technique for which the surgical suture instrument is used can be applied in open surgery and in arthroscopy.