Braided Suture Loop for Knot-Free Bone Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing soft tissues to bone during arthroscopic procedures, such as using sutures and anchors, are time-consuming and limited by the strength of the knot, which can be weaker than the suture material, leading to potential failures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a braided tubular suture configuration where ends are passed through apertures to form loops, which are then tightened to constrict around soft tissue, providing a secure and efficient attachment to bone without the need for knots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures and anchors are used to secure soft tissues to bone, then the soft tissue can be anchored to bone, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and the strength is limited by the knot
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knot from the suture system. Instead of using a knot to secure the suture to itself and to the anchor, the suture is designed with a preformed loop that attaches directly to the anchor, removing the knot-tying step entirely while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is pre-configured with a loop formed before implantation. This preliminary formation of the loop eliminates the need for intraoperative knot tying, saving time while ensuring the loop geometry is optimized for secure attachment to the anchor and soft tissue.
2Productivity
If a preformed loop suture is used, then the knot-tying time is reduced, but the loop may relax and allow suture translation back through the passage
Solution Approach 1:
The suture loop is nested within the anchor structure. The loop passes through the anchor's aperture and is secured by the anchor's internal geometry, creating a nested configuration where the loop is constrained by the anchor, preventing relaxation and translation while maintaining tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor serves as an intermediary structure between the suture loop and the bone. The anchor's aperture and internal features act as a mediator that secures the loop in a fixed position, preventing the loop from relaxing or allowing suture translation while maintaining the desired tension.
3Ease of operation
If traditional sutures with knots are used, then the suture can be tied securely, but the knot strength is significantly lower than the tensile strength of the suture material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the knot from the system entirely. The suture attaches to the anchor through a preformed loop that secures without knotting, eliminating the weakness introduced by knot tying while preserving the full tensile strength of the suture material.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop is preformed in the suture before implantation, eliminating the need for knot tying. This preliminary configuration ensures the suture maintains its full tensile strength without the strength reduction caused by knot formation, while still providing secure attachment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings 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 retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel.