Braided Suture Loop Anchoring Soft Tissue Without Knots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture knot-tying procedures in arthroscopic surgeries are time-consuming and can result in knots with lower tensile strength than the suture material, leading to potential instability in tissue repairs.
Innovation Solution
A braided tubular suture configuration with strategically placed apertures allows for the formation of secure loops that resist relaxation, using a method where one end is passed through a passage and out another aperture, and the second end is similarly manipulated to create a mechanical interface that maintains tension without knotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional knot-tying procedures are used to secure sutures to bone and soft tissue, then the repair can be achieved with simple suture material, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and the knot strength may be significantly lower than the tensile strength of the suture material
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-configured with a loop structure and passage before implantation. The loop and passage are formed in advance during suture manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming knot-tying procedures during surgery. The suture is ready for immediate insertion through the anchor device.
Solution Approach 2:
The knot-tying operation is extracted and eliminated from the surgical procedure. Instead of tying knots during surgery, the suture is designed with an integrated loop structure that achieves the same anchoring function without requiring manual knot manipulation, thereby saving time and ensuring consistent strength.
2Loss of time
If a single preformed loop suture configuration is used to eliminate knot-tying, then procedural time is reduced, but the loop may relax and allow suture translation back through the passage, relieving desired tension
Solution Approach 1:
The suture loop is nested within the anchor device structure. The passage through which the suture passes is contained within the anchor body, and the loop configuration is constrained by the anchor's internal geometry. This nested arrangement prevents the loop from relaxing and translating back through the passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor device acts as an intermediary between the suture loop and the bone/soft tissue. It provides a structured passage and retention mechanism that mediates the interaction between the suture and the tissue, ensuring the loop maintains its configuration and tension without direct manual intervention.
3Strength
If the suture loop is made tight to maintain tension, then repair strength is improved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming to properly tension and secure
Solution Approach 1:
The suture loop configuration is designed to self-maintain tension through its geometric structure and the constraints provided by the anchor passage. Once inserted and tensioned, the loop's configuration and the passage geometry work together to automatically maintain the desired tension without requiring complex securing mechanisms or additional manipulation steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture construction and method for forming a suture construction is disclosed. The construction utilizes a suture having an enlarged central body portion defining a longitudinal passage. First and second ends of the suture are passed through first and second apertures associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes constriction of the longitudinal passage, thus preventing relative motions of the captured portions of the suture.