Soft Tissue Graft Assembly With Radial Compression Suture Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graft preparation methods are labor-intensive and cause trauma to the graft due to multiple piercings, and they limit the graft-to-bone contact area.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a frame with channels and transverse holes for weaving suture around a graft, followed by tensioning to form a radial compression trap, which reduces piercings and enhances graft-to-bone contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a needle is used to load suture material through a puncture at the distal end of a soft tissue graft, then the suture can be loaded, but the needle cannot be removed without removing the suture material as well
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the needle into two functional parts: a loading needle with a beveled tip for inserting suture material, and a retention needle without a bevel for securing the suture. This segmentation allows the loading needle to be removed after suture insertion while the retention needle remains to hold the suture in place.
Solution Approach 2:
A suture retention element (loop or knot) acts as an intermediary between the two needles. The loading needle creates a puncture, the suture retention element is formed on the loading needle, the suture is loaded through this retention element, and then the loading needle is removed while the retention element remains on the retention needle to secure the suture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the graft assembly is designed with multiple components (frame, lumen, channels, transverse hole), then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the soft tissue graft, contains the lumen for fluid delivery, incorporates channels for suture passage, and includes the transverse hole for needle insertion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining all necessary capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines several functional elements into a single integrated frame structure. The lumen, channels, and transverse hole are all incorporated into one piece, eliminating the need for separate components for each function and simplifying the overall device assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for loading a suture construct on a soft tissue graft with a graft assembly. The graft assembly includes a frame with an opening extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The frame has a wall with a first side extending to a first edge and a second side extending to a second edge. A lumen extends between the first side and the second side and a plurality of channels extend through the wall between the first edge and the second edge. The graft assembly also includes a transverse hole extending through the proximal end of the frame and a pin removably inserted into the transverse hole.