Knotless Suture System with Cortical Bone Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical techniques for reattaching torn tissues, such as the rotator cuff, face challenges due to reliance on cancellous bone for anchor fixation, which is susceptible to osteopenia, and require complex knot-tying procedures that are difficult in minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A surgical suture system featuring elongated flexible sutures with spaced protuberances and tissue engaging members with double locking apertures, allowing for one-way movement and secure anchoring on the cortical bone surface, eliminating the need for knots and enhancing pullout strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If suture anchors are threaded or pressed into cancellous bone mass for fixation, then initial anchoring strength is achieved, but the pull-out strength diminishes over time due to osteopenic changes in cancellous bone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional anchoring approach by moving from cancellous bone (soft tissue) to cortical bone (hard tissue) for anchor fixation. The suture anchor engages the hard cortical bone surface rather than relying on the soft cancellous bone mass, providing stable long-term fixation that is not susceptible to osteopenic changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of bone type from cancellous to cortical. By altering this critical parameter, the system achieves superior long-term reliability as cortical bone is not affected by osteopenic changes that compromise cancellous bone strength over time.
2Reliability
If conventional suture anchors are used with knot-tying procedures, then tissue reattachment is achieved, but the surgical procedure becomes complex and difficult in minimally invasive settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the surgical procedure. The suture anchor is designed with a direct engagement mechanism that secures tissue without requiring traditional knot-tying operations, thereby simplifying the surgical procedure especially in minimally invasive settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchor is designed to be self-securing through its engagement with the cortical bone and tissue, eliminating the need for surgeon-performed knot-tying operations. The device performs its own securing function, reducing surgical complexity.
3Strength
If suture anchors dependent on cancellous bone mass are used, then initial fixation is achieved, but anchor loosening occurs requiring second operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the anchoring strategy by transitioning from cancellous bone (prone to loosening) to cortical bone (resistant to loosening). This inversion prevents anchor loosening and eliminates the need for second operations to remove loosened anchors.
4Ease of operation
If complex suture passing devices such as punches and suture relays are used, then sutures can be passed through tissue, but the procedure time and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex suture passing devices like punches and suture relays. The simplified suture anchor design allows direct suture engagement with the cortical bone, removing the time-consuming intermediate steps of using specialized passing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical suture system, suture, and tissue engaging member for tissue repair and reattachment of torn tissue to a tissue substrate, medical prosthesis or medical implant. The system includes the elongated flexible suture member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced protuberances along a length thereof and one or a plurality of the tissue engaging members each of which include two closely spaced apart locking apertures sized and configured to receive one of the suture members passed therethrough or a unique single locking aperture to allow longitudinal tensioning and/or restraining movement of the suture member in only one direction through the locking apertures for suture member tightening.