Braided Suture with Visual Identifier for Arthroscopic Limb Differentiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face difficulties in distinguishing and managing suture limbs during arthroscopic surgery in small, tight areas, leading to challenges in securing tissues without moving them excessively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible suture construct with braided strands featuring visual identifiers such as tracers, color differences, or structural variations between suture limbs, allowing for easier identification and manipulation within the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sutures without visual identifiers are used, then the suture construction is simple, but the surgeon has difficulty distinguishing suture limbs in small tight areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating visually distinct identifiers into different suture limbs. Specifically, one suture limb includes a first visual identifier while another limb includes a second visual identifier with different color or reflective properties, enabling surgeons to easily distinguish between limbs during arthroscopic procedures without significantly complicating the overall suture construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying optical parameters of the suture limbs through incorporation of visual identifiers with different reflective, absorptive, or fluorescent properties. These parameter changes allow the sutures to be distinguished under various lighting conditions (white light, polarized light, UV light) while maintaining the fundamental suture construction simplicity
2Productivity
If traditional sutures are used in arthroscopic surgery, then the surgical procedure is straightforward, but tissue manipulation becomes excessive due to difficulty in identifying suture limbs
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating visual identifiers with distinct color or reflective properties into different suture limbs, the patent enables surgeons to quickly identify and manipulate specific limbs without excessive tissue movement. This visual differentiation streamlines the surgical procedure and reduces unnecessary handling of the tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The visual identifiers act as intermediaries between the suture limbs and the surgeon's visual system. These identifiers (which may include dyes, pigments, or reflective materials) mediate the recognition process, allowing the surgeon to distinguish suture limbs at a distance without needing to closely manipulate or move the tissue to identify them
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sutures with visual identifiers are incorporated, then identification of suture limbs is improved, but the suture construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual identifiers using color changes or reflective property variations directly into the suture limb material itself, rather than adding separate complex identification systems. This approach improves identifiability while minimizing construction complexity by integrating the identification feature into the existing suture structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by providing different visual identifiers on different segments (suture limbs) of the overall suture construction. Each limb can be independently identified through its specific visual identifier, allowing for clear differentiation without requiring complex overall redesign of the entire suture system
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible suture for coupling tissue includes a first suture portion extending to a first end and a second suture portion extending to a second end. A plurality of braided strands form the first and second suture portions. An identifier characteristic is formed into the plurality of braided strands. The identifier characteristic extends from the first end of the first suture portion to the second end of the second suture portion, and the identifier characteristic distinguishes the first suture portion from the second suture portion.