Cerclage Strands for Metal-Free Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reconstructive surgeries for bone fractures and instability, such as glenohumeral dislocation, often rely on metal components like wires, cables, and screws, which can cause complications and require invasive procedures, while lacking efficient metal-free alternatives for stable fixation.
Innovation Solution
The use of interconnected flexible cerclage strands, such as FiberTape® sutures, that pass through bone tunnels to form a tensionable construct, providing wide footprint compression similar to bone plates without the need for metal components, allowing for secure bone block or graft fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal components (wires, cables, screws) are used for bone fixation, then strong fixation strength is achieved, but tissue irritation and intraoperative/postoperative complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes metal components from the fixation system entirely, extracting the harmful element while retaining the essential function of bone stabilization through cerclage sutures alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs absorbable sutures that provide temporary fixation strength during healing, then naturally degrade and are absorbed by the body, eliminating the need for permanent metal implants and their associated long-term complications
2Stability of the object's composition
If metal cerclage and cabling are used for fracture repair, then stable bone fixation is achieved, but the procedure becomes more invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts metal components from the cerclage system, simplifying the overall construct to use only sutures and reducing the number of different component types needed
Solution Approach 2:
The cerclage suture performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides compression, maintains reduction, and stabilizes the fracture, eliminating the need for separate metal plates, screws, and wires
3Force
If metal components are used for bone block fixation, then compression strength is achieved, but the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses absorbable sutures that provide sufficient temporary compression force during the critical healing period, then safely degrade without causing long-term complications or requiring removal
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbable suture material self-degrades and is absorbed by the body's natural processes, eliminating the need for surgical removal and reducing postoperative complication risks associated with permanent implants
Data Source
AI summary
Cerclage constructs, systems, kits and methods of cerclage repairs are disclosed. A cerclage construct can create a repair without metal cerclage and cabling (metal wires, cables, etc.) and/or metal components (metal fittings, screws, etc.). A cerclage construct includes a plurality of interconnected flexible strands that secure a first bone (bone graft or bone block) to a second bone (bone graft or bone block) with a simple and compact design. The cerclage construct is a flexible, tensionable construct that eliminates the need for metal components in a fracture repair.