Helical Tendon Repair Apparatus With Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tendon repair, such as sutures, are invasive and may not effectively maintain tendon integrity, leading to potential complications like increased distance between tendon portions and reduced movement.
Innovation Solution
A tissue repair apparatus comprising helical elements and a locking mechanism that couples these elements to the tendon, preventing an increase in distance between tendon portions and facilitating repair without the use of sutures, by being screwed into the tendon's exposed ends and locked collinearly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures are used for tendon repair, then the tendon can be attached, but the procedure is invasive and may not effectively maintain tendon integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful element (sutures) from the repair system and replaces it with a sutureless mechanism. The repair elements are inserted into the tendon substance itself, eliminating the need for external sutures that penetrate the tendon surface and cause invasive damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces repair elements as intermediary components that mediate between the two tendon portions. These elements are inserted into the tendon substance and provide internal support and alignment, acting as a mediator that maintains tendon integrity without requiring external sutures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional repair methods are used, then tendon attachment is achieved, but distance between tendon portions may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repair elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable within the tendon substance. They can be inserted to different depths and positions, allowing the system to adapt to varying tendon gap sizes and maintain optimal alignment throughout the healing process, preventing increase in distance between tendon portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the repair by using elements with specific dimensional characteristics that can be inserted into the tendon substance. The repair elements' size, shape, and insertion depth are controlled to maintain proper tendon spacing and prevent gap formation between tendon portions.
3Ease of operation
If sutures are used for tendon repair, then attachment is achieved, but movement may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the external mechanical constraint system (sutures) with an internal mechanical support system. The repair elements provide internal structural support within the tendon substance, allowing the tendon to move naturally without external restriction, while maintaining attachment strength through internal anchoring.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent distance increase, then tendon stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the repair and locking functions into a single integrated system. The repair elements themselves are designed with features that provide both structural support and locking capability within the tendon substance, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair elements are designed to self-lock within the tendon substance through their insertion mechanism and structural features. Once inserted, they automatically maintain position and prevent distance increase between tendon portions without requiring additional active locking components, reducing device complexity while maintaining stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for coupling two elongated tissue portions of a subject, such as two portions of a ruptured tendon, comprising first and second repair elements, each repair element comprising a distal end configured for insertion into the tissue portion, an elongated body configured to extend axially within the tissue portion and to engage the tissue, and a proximal end. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second repair elements comprises, at the proximal end, an integrally formed connector for coupling the proximal end of the first repair element to a proximal end of the second repair element, to attach between the two tissue portions.