Intermediate Member for Soft Tissue Stitch Pull-Out Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue repair methods often result in stitches pulling through soft tissue, causing movement of the tissue relative to the bone, which compromises the stability of the repair.
Innovation Solution
The use of an intermediate member connected to a bone anchor and a suture construct with adjustable loops and flexible anchors to secure soft tissue to bone, distributing load and preventing stitches from pulling through the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stitches are used to secure soft tissue to bone, then the soft tissue can be attached to bone, but the stitches may pull through the tissue causing movement and compromising repair stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate member as a mediator between the suture and the soft tissue. This intermediate member distributes the load from the suture across a broader area of the tissue, preventing the suture from concentrating force at a single point and pulling through. The intermediate member effectively transfers the anchoring force from the bone anchor through the suture to the tissue without causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the anchoring system into multiple components: the bone anchor, the suture, the intermediate member, and the stitch. By segmenting the force application, the load is distributed across multiple interaction points rather than being concentrated at the stitch-tissue interface, thereby preventing pull-through while maintaining secure attachment.
2Ease of operation
If the stitch closest to the anchor is used to secure tissue, then attachment is achieved, but this stitch is most prone to pulling through causing considerable tissue movement
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is positioned between the suture and the tissue at the critical location near the anchor, where pull-through is most likely to occur. This intermediary component protects the tissue from direct suture pressure while maintaining secure attachment, thereby preserving tissue position stability without complicating the overall suturing procedure.
3Strength
If traditional suturing methods are used, then soft tissue can be secured to bone, but the repair lacks sufficient stiffness and failure strength
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct is segmented into distinct functional components: the bone anchor for secure bone attachment, the suture for force transmission, the intermediate member for load distribution and tissue protection, and the stitch for final tissue securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resulting in enhanced overall strength without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite suture construct combining different material properties: the anchor (typically rigid metal or ceramic), the suture (flexible high-strength polymer), and the intermediate member (load-distributing material). This composite approach leverages the advantages of each material to achieve superior failure strength while managing the complexity through standardized component design.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for repairing a tear in soft tissue are disclosed. A method according to the principles of the present disclosure includes connecting an intermediate member to a bone anchor and placing the intermediate member on the soft tissue. The method further includes inserting a first suture through the intermediate member and the soft tissue to attach the intermediate member to the soft tissue and fixing the bone anchor to bone to secure the soft tissue to the bone.