Flexible All-Suture Backstop for Single-Hole Bone Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical suspension systems cause excessive trauma and irritation due to the need for drilling multiple bone holes and the use of large, rigid metal buttons, especially in small bones and limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
A suture system with a flexible all-suture backstop that allows suspension between two bodies through a single bone hole, using a length of suture with a flexible backstop that deploys from an undeployed to a deployed configuration to secure the knot and prevent suture movement, reducing trauma and irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two bone holes are drilled to create suspension, then suture can be tied off to create suspension between torn tissue and bone, but excessive trauma is caused to the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the second bone hole from the system by using a single bone hole combined with a button and suture configuration that creates suspension without requiring a second hole. The button acts as an anchor point that eliminates the need for drilling two separate holes through the bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The button serves as an intermediary element between the suture and the bone. Instead of tying suture directly through two bone holes, the button mediates the connection by providing a surface for suture attachment and tension distribution, reducing direct trauma to the bone.
2Reliability
If metal buttons are used to tension suture, then suspension can be created between carpal and metacarpal, but irritation is caused to surrounding soft tissue and bone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the button from rigid metal to flexible all-suture material. This material parameter change reduces the hardness and roughness that cause irritation to surrounding soft tissue and bone, while maintaining the button's functional ability to tension the suture.
Solution Approach 2:
The button is constructed from multiple strands of suture material braided or woven together, creating a composite structure that combines flexibility with tensile strength. This composite all-suture construction eliminates the irritating properties of metal while preserving the tensioning function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single bone hole is used, then less trauma is caused to the bone, but it is difficult to create proper suspension without additional holes or buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The single bone hole serves multiple functions: it anchors the button, allows suture passage, and provides structural support for suspension. The button itself serves multiple functions by anchoring to the bone through the single hole while providing a surface for suture tensioning and distribution.
4Force
If large rigid buttons are used, then suture can be effectively tensioned, but the buttons are difficult to insert and cause irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the button from large and rigid to small and flexible. The flexible all-suture construction allows the button to be compressed to a smaller profile for easy insertion through a single bone hole, then expand to provide adequate surface area for suture tensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The button transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during use. This dynamic transformation allows the button to be easily inserted through the bone hole in a compact form, then expand to provide the necessary surface area for effective suture tensioning without causing irritation.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture suspension system including a flexible backstop extending along a longitudinal axis and having two ends positioned in a first direction in an undeployed configuration. A length of suture can be positioned through the flexible backstop and forms a bridge connecting and creating suspension between a first body to a second body. In a deployed configuration, the two ends of the flexible backstop are positioned in a second direction different from the first direction. The system may also include an anchoring body having the length of suture woven therethrough. A portion of the anchoring body is positioned on a distal surface of a second body and a portion of the flexible backstop is positioned on a proximal surface of the first body.