Knotless Suture Construct with Turning Loop for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knotless suture constructs lack the ability to be tensioned and retensioned as needed, and are difficult to pass around tissue and fixate in a straightforward manner, limiting their effectiveness in soft tissue fixation to bone.
Innovation Solution
A self-cinching knotless suture construct with a turning loop, fixed end, and tensioning limb, formed by splicing or knotting, which allows for easy passage around tissue and secure fixation into bone using anchors, enabling tensioning and retensioning for optimal tissue attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional knotless suture anchors are used, then fixation is achieved, but the construct cannot be tensioned or retensioned as needed
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct incorporates a dynamic tensioning mechanism that allows the construct to be tensioned and retensioned after implantation. The system transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic adjustable state, enabling surgeons to optimize tensioning post-operatively based on patient-specific needs and healing progression.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture construct is pre-configured with a turning loop and tensioning limb that enable future tensioning actions. The preliminary arrangement of these components allows for straightforward tensioning operations later without requiring complex additional instrumentation or procedures.
2Strength
If complex fixation methods are used to achieve secure attachment, then fixation strength is improved, but the difficulty of passing around tissue and fixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct is divided into distinct functional segments: a turning loop for redirection, a splice area for secure attachment, and a tensioning limb for force application. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling easy passage around tissue while maintaining strong fixation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The turning loop acts as an intermediary element that redirects the tensioning force from the tensioning limb to the fixed end anchored in bone. This intermediary structure simplifies the passage of the suture through tissue by providing a convenient turning point, while the splice area ensures secure attachment without requiring complex knotting.
3Ease of manufacture
If knotless constructs are used, then ease of deployment is improved, but the ability to create self-cinching constructs becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct is designed to be self-cinching, where the tensioning limb automatically cinches the soft tissue against the bone anchor when tension is applied. The construct serves itself by using the applied tension to create the cinching action without requiring additional instruments or complex mechanisms, maintaining ease of deployment while achieving secure tissue fixation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with at least one splice area, a turning loop (turning eyelet), a fixed end and a tensioning limb. The eyelet is fixed and is created into the suture splice by splicing or knotting, or by other known methods in the art. The eyelet is configured to redirect the tensioning of the construct (the force of tensioning).