Soft Tissue Graft Suture Loading Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing soft tissue grafts are labor-intensive and cause trauma to the graft due to multiple piercings, and they also limit the radial compression and contact area between the graft and the bone tunnel.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for loading a suture construct on a soft tissue graft using a graft assembly with a frame and channels, where a suture is woven through the channels over the graft, reducing the number of piercings and allowing for radial compression and improved graft-to-bone contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If whip stitching or passing stiches through the graft is performed, then the graft can be secured and controlled, but the number of piercings increases and preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct is pre-formed with loops and tails before the graft is inserted into the frame. This preliminary preparation allows the suture to be loaded onto the graft without requiring multiple piercing operations during surgery, thereby reducing preparation time while maintaining secure graft fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The frame with channels serves as an intermediary device that facilitates the loading of the suture construct onto the graft. The channels guide the suture through the frame structure, enabling efficient suture placement without direct multiple piercings of the graft tissue
2Reliability
If multiple stiches are passed through the graft, then the graft can be securely fixed, but trauma to the graft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct is prepared in advance with pre-formed loops and tails that can be loaded onto the graft without requiring multiple piercing operations. This preliminary preparation reduces trauma to the graft while maintaining secure fixation through the pre-configured suture structure
Solution Approach 2:
The frame with channels acts as an intermediary that enables the suture construct to be loaded onto the graft through the channel structure rather than requiring multiple direct piercings of the graft tissue, thereby reducing trauma while maintaining fixation reliability
3Stability of the object's composition
If a spine is used to prevent collapsing of the suture construct, then the suture construct maintains its structure, but radial compression on the graft is limited and contact area with bone tunnel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional rigid spine structure is extracted and replaced with a frame that has channels allowing the suture construct to be loaded in a collapsed state. This removal of the rigid spine constraint enables the suture to provide radial compression on the graft while maintaining structural integrity through the channel framework
Solution Approach 2:
The suture construct transitions from a rigid spine-based structure to a dynamic configuration where the suture loops can collapse and expand. The frame with channels allows the suture to be loaded in a compressed state that can adapt to the graft shape, providing both structural stability and radial compression capability
Data Source
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 suture construct having a closed end and an open end; a first tail of suture and a second tail of suture positioned adjacent to the open end; a first closed loop positioned at the closed end formed from the first and second tails of suture; a first splice formed by the first tail in the second tail between the closed loop and the open end; a second closed loop formed from the first and second tails of suture between the splice and the open end; and a second splice formed by the first tail in the second tail between the second closed loop and the open end.