Compact Suture Line Lock with Tapered Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing line locks used in surgical applications are prone to disassociation due to loss of tension, are bulky, and susceptible to loosening under cyclic tissue stress, making them ineffective for maintaining secure suture tension.
Innovation Solution
A compact, biocompatible line lock design with strategically configured passageways and locking mechanisms that secure the line through wedged frictional engagement, allowing for continuous adjustment and maintaining tension even when the standing end loses tension, using a combination of primary and secondary passageways with constricted capture slots and access regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known line locks use line on line friction to create the locking effect, then the line lock can maintain tension, but it becomes difficult to advance the line lock over the suture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tapered bore as an intermediary mechanism between the line lock body and the suture. The tapered surface creates a wedging action that provides controlled friction for locking while allowing smooth advancement. The bearing surface in the tapered bore acts as a mediator that distributes contact forces, enabling the line lock to advance over the suture without excessive friction while still maintaining the locking effect when engaged.
2Ease of operation
If the working end is trimmed closely to the line lock, then the surgical procedure is cleaner, but the line lock can easily disassociate from the suture once tension is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a retainer element with a hooked end that extends into the tapered bore as a preliminary protective measure. This hooked end engages with the suture before tension is applied, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents disassociation. The retainer acts in advance to secure the suture, so even when the working end is trimmed close to the line lock body, the suture remains securely attached through the engagement between the hooked end and the tapered bore.
3Volume of moving object
If known line locks are designed to be compact, then they are better for implantation, but they may lack the structural features needed for reliable locking and advancement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the tapered dimension of the bore as a functional feature rather than simply scaling down the overall size. The tapered bore creates a gradient of contact pressure along the length of the bore, providing both advancement capability (through the tapered geometry) and locking effect (through friction). This dimensional approach allows the line lock to maintain reliable locking and advancement functions in a compact form by optimizing the internal geometry rather than increasing external dimensions.
4Device complexity
If known line locks rely on maintenance of tension to prevent migration, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but they are susceptible to loosening during cyclic variations in tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a retainer element as a preliminary protective feature that cushions against the harmful effect of tension loss. The hooked end of the retainer engages with the suture in advance, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents migration even when tension is lost or varies cyclically. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the line lock remains secure during tissue stress and relaxation cycles without requiring a complex active locking mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The line lock effectively secures sutures by minimizing frictional resistance during advancement and maintaining lock engagement, ensuring reliable tension and preventing disassociation, even under cyclic tissue stress, thus providing a stable and efficient alternative to traditional knots in surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Some line locks use line on line friction to create the locking effect
Implementation Method 2
secure the line through wedged frictional engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A line lock includes a body at least partially bounding two passageways that cooperate to receive a locking portion of a line such as a suture in such a manner that the locking portion can only be drawn through the passageways along one direction. A second suture locking portion may also received by the passageways, or by one of the two passageways in combination with a third passageway. The body may have an elongated, compact shape that is easily implantable in the body.