Locking-Loop Suture Construct for Knotless Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in securely coupling bones or tissue segments due to the difficulty and potential loosening of traditional knots during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suture system featuring a suture construct with a locking limb, contractible loop, and opposed loop that can be selectively expanded and reduced, eliminating the need for knots by using a suture pin and pusher tubes to apply compressive force and lock the construct in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knots are used to secure sutures, then the suture can be tied and secured, but the knot may become loose and/or difficult to tie during surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional knot-tying mechanical system with a suture construct that uses a locking mechanism involving a locking limb, contractible loop, and opposed loop. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for surgeons to tie knots while maintaining secure fixation through the interaction between the locking limb and loop structures that prevent slippage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary locking mechanism consisting of a locking limb that interacts with contractible and opposed loops. This intermediary structure mediates between the suture ends, providing secure fixation without requiring direct knot-tying by the surgeon. The locking limb acts as a mediator that transforms the simple suture into a self-securing construct.
2Ease of operation
If traditional knots are used to secure sutures, then the suture can be tied and secured, but the knot may become loose during surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable knot-tying system with a mechanically secure locking construct. The locking limb engages with the contractible loop and opposed loop to create a friction-based locking mechanism that prevents slippage. This substitution provides both ease of application (no knot-tying required) and reliability (secure locking that prevents loosening).
3Reliability
If a suture construct with locking mechanism is used, then knot-tying is eliminated and security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the suture construct into distinct functional segments: a locking limb, a contractible loop, and an opposed loop. Each segment performs a specific function in the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex locking function to be achieved through simple, modular components that can be manufactured and assembled relatively easily, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining security.
4Ease of manufacture
If a suture construct with locking mechanism is used, then knot-tying is eliminated and security is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking limb, contractible loop, and opposed loop into an integrated suture construct that can be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled, while the modular design within the construct maintains the necessary complexity for secure locking functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture system including a suture construct having a first reduction construct configured to be selectively arranged in an expanded state and a reduced state. The first reduction construct includes a first locking limb, a first contractible loop, and a first opposed loop disposed generally opposite to the first contractible loop, wherein reduction of the first opposed loop contracts the first contractible loop from the expanded state into the reduced state and secures the suture construct in the reduced state. The suture construct may also include a second reduction construct. Optionally, the suture system includes a first and a second pusher tube defining a first and a second lumen, respectively, wherein each pusher tubes are advanced over portions of opposed loops, respectively, and wherein distal portions of opposed loops extend beyond the pusher tubes, respectively.