Locking Ferrule Tensionable Knotless Suture Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Repetitive trauma to joints like the knee, ankle, or shoulder can lead to tissue defects, which if untreated, cause joint instability and discomfort, necessitating effective tissue repair methods.
Innovation Solution
A locking ferrule with a one-way locking mechanism is used to tension and lock suture strands during tissue repairs, utilizing a body with an outer and inner diameter wall and inwardly protruding locking barbs to prevent suture movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knot-based suture fixation is used, then suture anchoring is achieved, but tissue stability and repair reliability are insufficient due to knot slippage and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional knot-based mechanical fixation with a ferrule-based locking mechanism. The ferrule contains barbs that engage with the suture strand through a cannulation, providing reliable fixation without requiring knots. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of knot slippage while simplifying the tensioning and locking process, as the ferrule can be easily inserted and locked into position on the suture strand.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule acts as an intermediary component between the suture strand and the tissue/bone. Rather than directly tying knots in the suture, the ferrule mediates the fixation by containing barbs that engage the suture and provide stable anchoring. This intermediary mechanism improves reliability while making the operation easier, as the ferrule can be pre-loaded with sutures and simply inserted into position during surgery.
2Stability of the object's composition
If suture strands are tensioned to achieve tissue apposition, then tissue-to-bone contact is improved, but suture movement and fixation stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into distinct functional components: the suture strand for tensioning, the ferrule for locking, and the barbs for engagement. This segmentation allows the suture to be tensioned independently to achieve proper tissue apposition, while the ferrule with barbs provides a separate locking function that prevents suture movement. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both tissue apposition stability and fixation stability without requiring a complex integrated mechanism.
3Reliability
If locking barbs are added to prevent suture movement, then fixation security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, contains the locking barbs, and guides the suture strand through its cannulation. By merging these functions into one integrated piece, the design achieves high locking security without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity. The ferrule can be manufactured as a single molded or machined component, making the added complexity of incorporating barbs worthwhile given the significant improvement in fixation security.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for performing tensionable knotless tissue repairs. A locking ferrule that includes a one-way locking mechanism may be utilized as part of the tensionable knotless tissue repairs for tensioning and locking one or more strands of suture. The one-way locking mechanism may be established by one or more locking barbs of the locking ferrule.