Continuous Suture Stitching for Soft Tissue Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft tissue repair methods often disrupt bone during drilling for anchor placement and struggle with controlling suture tension, leading to inefficient and potentially damaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a continuous strand of suture delivered through soft tissue and bone at multiple fixation points, with implants aiding in secure attachment, and a handheld tool with a spool assembly for controlled tension and automated implant delivery, reducing manual steps and operator variability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If drilling is used to pre-form holes for anchor placement, then fixation strength is improved, but bone disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is positioned and tensioned before the anchor is fully inserted, allowing the bone to be engaged gradually without aggressive pre-drilling. The anchor is then driven into the bone along the pre-positioned suture path, achieving fixation with minimal bone disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the soft tissue and the anchor. It allows the anchor to be positioned and secured without direct drilling into the bone, as the suture guides the anchor placement and distributes forces along its length.
2Reliability
If multiple manual steps are used for anchor insertion, then fixation reliability is improved, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning and insertion of the anchor are merged into a single continuous motion. The anchor is advanced along the pre-positioned suture in one smooth action, combining what would traditionally be separate steps of suture placement, tensioning, and anchor insertion into an integrated procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture remains continuously engaged with the soft tissue and anchor throughout the procedure. The anchor is inserted along the continuous path of the suture without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action from soft tissue engagement to bone fixation.
3Manufacturing precision
If suture tension is manually controlled, then fixation precision is improved, but operator skill requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture system is designed to self-tension as the anchor is inserted. The geometry of the suture path and the mechanical interaction between the anchor and suture automatically generate and maintain appropriate tension without requiring manual adjustment by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides mechanical feedback through the suture tension as the anchor is inserted. The operator can feel the resistance and tension changes, which naturally guide the insertion depth and force, providing inherent feedback control that reduces skill requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for performing soft tissue repair by delivering a suture through the soft tissue and underlying bone at two or more fixation points that can be spaced apart from each other and connected by the suture on the surface of the soft tissue. The two or more fixation points and the suture connected there between can be a continuous strand of suture, which can form a stitching assembly that can provide sufficient fixation in the bone and minimize disruption to the soft tissue and bone. In an example, the suture can be delivered into the bone using one or more implants that can catch the suture to drive the suture through the tissue and into the bone. The one or more implants can include structural features to aid in securing the suture to the implant. In an example, the suture can include structural features or be formed of a material to aid in fixation of the suture in the bone.