Reinforced Tendon Graft With Lengthwise Suture Against Stitch Pull-Through
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tendon and ligament reconstruction methods face challenges in securely attaching grafts to bone and maintaining proper tension, especially when dealing with torn tendons that are weak at the repair site, leading to potential failure of stitches.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced tendon/ligament/graft construct is formed by passing reinforcing materials like suture, tape, or mesh lengthwise through the graft, with ends whipstitched for additional fixation, using absorbable or non-absorbable materials, and optionally incorporating fixation devices for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stitches are used to attach graft to bone, then the graft can be secured, but the stitches may rip through the weak tendon tissue at the repair site
Solution Approach 1:
A reinforcement construct is placed within the tendon substance at the repair site before the stitches are inserted. This preliminary reinforcement prevents the stitches from ripping through the weak tendon tissue while still allowing secure attachment to bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement construct combines different materials (such as suture material, tape, weave, or mesh) to create a composite structure that provides both internal reinforcement of the weak tendon tissue and external attachment capability to bone, solving both the strength and reliability problems simultaneously.
2Reliability
If reinforcement material is passed lengthwise through the graft, then additional fixation is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement construct serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the weak tendon tissue, provides attachment points for stitches, and can be made from various materials (suture, tape, weave, mesh) depending on the specific surgical need. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by solving multiple problems with a single integrated solution.
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforced graft construct for repairing a tendon or ligament formed by inserting a piece of material, such as suture, through the graft lengthwise. The material may be inserted along only a portion of the graft or along the entire graft. The material may be a reinforcement (reinforcing) material such as suture, tape, weave, or mesh passed lengthwise through the graft (for example, along the center of the graft). The ends of the graft may be whipstitched to provide additional fixation when implanted. The material may be bioabsorbable such that it will resorb away after a period of time in the body.