Knotless Suture Chain Fixation for Bone Tissue
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current knotless tissue fixation techniques in surgery face challenges in adjusting loop length and tension during arthroscopic procedures, as they lack effective methods for refining fixation tension and achieving secure tissue-to-bone attachment without knotting.
Innovation Solution
The use of a chain-like serial suture loop construct formed from high-strength suture, where loops are captured with anchoring implants, allowing for adjustable tension by selecting which loops to secure, enabling knotless fixation of tissue to bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a free-standing continuous suture loop is used for tissue fixation, then knotless fixation is achieved, but the ability to adjust loop length and tension in situ is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous suture loop is divided into discrete adjustable segments (loops) that can be individually captured by anchoring devices. This segmentation allows selective capture of specific loops to achieve desired tension and loop length adjustments while maintaining overall knotless fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed continuous loop to a dynamic construct where individual loops can be selectively captured or released. This dynamic capability enables in situ adjustment of tension and loop length by controlling which loops are captured by the anchoring devices.
2Reliability
If traditional knot-tying methods are used for suture fixation, then secure tension is achieved, but surgical complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex knot-tying operation is extracted and replaced by a simpler anchoring mechanism. The anchoring devices directly capture and secure the suture loops without requiring surgical knots, thereby maintaining tension security while reducing surgical complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical knot-tying system is replaced with an anchoring device system that uses direct mechanical capture of suture loops. This substitution eliminates the need for complex knot manipulation while achieving equivalent or superior tension security.
3Strength
If multiple fixation devices are used for tendon to bone fixation, then fixation strength is improved, but surgical time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixation functions are merged into a coordinated system of multiple anchoring devices working together with the segmented suture loop construct. This merging allows simultaneous engagement of multiple loops by multiple anchors, achieving enhanced fixation strength through a streamlined process that maintains surgical efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A chain of loops of braided high strength suture for soft tissue to bone fixation. The suture chain is advantageous for use in knotless fixation of soft tissue to bone, and can be used for knotless side-to-side suturing of U-shaped defects, such as rotator cuff tears. The soft tissue to bone fixation includes: (i) providing a first medial row constructed with a first plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the first plurality of fixation devices being an anchor; (ii) providing a second lateral row constructed with a second plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the second plurality of fixation devices being a knotless fixation device; (iii) providing a suture loop construct that includes at least two loops formed of and connected by suture; and (iv) fixating the suture loop construct so that it extends over the soft tissue and is secured in place by at least one of the fixation devices or anchors.