Hydration-Responsive Suture Surface for Stronger Tissue Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suture anchors face issues such as low fixation strength, laxity, and micro-motion over time, leading to decreased compression and potential gaps in tissue repairs, particularly in hard bone materials like cortical bone.
Innovation Solution
A suture construct with a layer of material comprising intertwined fibers that changes size and surface texture in response to hydration, deploying barbs or altering visual indicia to enhance retention and provide feedback on physical condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If suture anchors are made from soft and pliable textile material, then they can fit within smaller pre-drilled holes in bone, but fixation strength is lower compared to other anchor types
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. The anchor body expands radially outward upon deployment, increasing its diameter and surface area for greater bone engagement and fixation strength while maintaining compatibility with small pre-drilled holes during insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor undergoes a parameter change in its physical dimensions, transitioning from a small compressed state during insertion to a larger expanded state during deployment. This parameter transformation allows the anchor to fit through small holes while achieving large fixation dimensions
2Strength
If suture anchors are designed for expansion in hard bone material, then fixation strength improves, but the difficulty in setting the anchor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is pre-compressed into a compact configuration that facilitates easy insertion through small holes. The compression mechanism is prepared in advance, allowing the anchor to be delivered through minimal access pathways before expansion at the target site
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor transitions dynamically from a static compressed state during delivery to an active expanded state upon deployment. This dynamic transformation enables easy insertion followed by secure fixation without requiring complex setting procedures
3Device complexity
If sutures remain static over time, then the repair structure is simple, but laxity and creep occur leading to decreased compression and gaps in tissue repair
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing it to adapt to tissue healing and swelling over time. The anchor can accommodate dimensional changes in the repaired tissue while maintaining consistent compression and contact pressure, preventing gap formation and laxity
Solution Approach 2:
The suture system incorporates self-adjusting features that automatically compensate for tissue changes during healing. The anchor's design allows it to self-regulate the compression force applied to the repaired tissue without requiring external intervention or complex mechanical systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The suture construct increases retention strength and stability by gripping tissue, reducing suture slide and micro-motion, while providing visual feedback for surgical adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A suture construct with a layer of material comprising intertwined fibers that changes size and surface texture in response to hydration
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
A suture construct that is elongate along a longitudinal direction and configured to change in size from a first configuration to a second configuration includes an outer layer of material that extends along the longitudinal direction and has a plurality of intertwined fibers that comprise a first sub-set of fibers crossed by a second sub-set of fibers at respective intersections, such that the first subset of fibers and the second subset of fibers are configured to reorient relative to each other in a manner causing the outer layer of material to change in one or more of surface texture and visual appearance as the suture construct changes between the first and second configurations.