Knotless Orthopedic Button Assembly With Self-Locking Suture Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone and soft tissue repair methods rely on secondary fixation elements like knots or hardware, which can fail and cause complications, and knotless systems compromise strength or stability for ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A knotless stabilization system with a self-locking mechanism using a base member and tensionable fixation members, eliminating the need for secondary fixation elements by creating a self-locking interface that maintains tension through compression and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If secondary fixation elements (knots, screws, hooks, pins, staples) are used to secure the suture, then the repair strength is improved, but the device complexity and risk of failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the secondary fixation element (knot, screw, hook, pin, or staple) from the system entirely. The suture loop is configured to self-lock within the button assembly through its own geometry and the action of the suture tail, eliminating the need for separate fixation components while maintaining repair strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture loop design allows the suture itself to perform the fixation function. When tension is applied, the suture tail automatically engages with the button assembly and locks the loop in place without requiring external fixation elements or manual knot-tying operations.
2Reliability
If knots are tied to hold suture tight, then fixation is achieved, but tension is lost due to knot spring-back and relaxation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the knot entirely, removing the source of tension loss. The suture loop is secured directly within the button assembly through a mechanical engagement that prevents spring-back and relaxation, maintaining full tension throughout the repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture tail automatically locks the suture loop in place through its own movement and engagement with the button assembly, eliminating the need for manual knot-tying that causes tension loss. The system self-secures the suture in a tension-maintaining configuration.
3Ease of operation
If knotless systems are used to eliminate secondary fixation elements, then ease of operation is improved, but strength or stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is divided into functional segments: the suture loop that engages with the button assembly and the suture tail that provides the locking action. This segmentation allows the suture to perform both fixation and tension-maintenance functions independently, achieving knotless operation without compromising strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture loop and tail configuration allows the suture itself to perform the fixation function that previously required separate components. The suture tail automatically engages with the button assembly to lock the loop, providing both ease of operation and sufficient repair strength through the suture's own geometry.
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 system provides safer, faster, and more reliable bone and soft tissue repair by maintaining tension without knots or additional hardware, reducing complications and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first compression surface adjacent the first through-hole in the base member and a second compression surface adjacent the central opening in the locking element
Implementation Method 2
maintains tension through compression and friction
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic button assembly for soft tissue repair or bone repair using a method for securing sutures or fixation members in a knotless manner. The orthopedic button assembly is designed in a manner to as to not rely on an additional component to perform the locking. The orthopedic button assembly of the present disclosure includes the ability to optimally tension the repair by pulling the tensionable fixation members (e.g. sutures) in the tensioning direction and prevent slippage of the tensionable fixation members in the opposite direction by capturing the tensionable fixation members in a manner such that pulling on the tensionable fixation members in the direction opposite of the tensioning direction (e.g., if connected tissue or bone were to attempt to “pull away” from the button assembly under tension) actually increases the tension, resulting in a tighter locking interface to increase the security of the repair.