Meniscus Repair Apparatus Using Pulling Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meniscus repair instruments face challenges in achieving optimal alignment and depth of implant insertion, often resulting in buckled and weak repairs due to pushing forces and anatomical constraints, limiting their effectiveness to a narrow range of tears and increasing the risk of damage to adjacent structures.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus utilizing a guide cannula with a penetrating shaft and a kedging line to pull the delivery cannula and implant across the tear, allowing for precise perpendicular alignment and controlled depth insertion without the need for additional incisions, using a pulling force instead of a pushing force to minimize lateral shear and ensure accurate placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pushing force is used to deliver the implant through the delivery cannula, then the implant can be inserted across the tear, but a lateral shear force is generated at the tear site causing buckling and deformation of the repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional pushing force approach by using a pulling force applied distally to the delivery cannula. This reverse force direction allows the implant to be drawn across the tear without generating lateral shear forces, thereby preventing buckling and maintaining repair strength while still achieving successful implant delivery
2Manufacturing precision
If an angulated distal tip is used to improve alignment with the tear, then alignment is improved, but the distal tip advances along the axis of the handle rather than the axis of the angulated tip, generating lateral shear force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse force direction to overcome the alignment problem caused by angulated tips. By pulling distally on the delivery cannula instead of pushing from the handle, the instrument advances along the axis of the angulated distal tip rather than the handle axis, eliminating lateral shear force while maintaining precise alignment with the tear
3Ease of operation
If the practitioner pushes the instrument to advance the tip, then the instrument can be inserted, but resistance during insertion cannot be accurately perceived, leading to improper depth of implant insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the force application from pushing to pulling, which fundamentally changes the tactile feedback characteristics. When pulling distally on the delivery cannula, the practitioner can more accurately sense resistance and control insertion depth, preventing both over-penetration and under-penetration while maintaining ease of instrument advancement
4Adaptability or versatility
If prior art instruments are used, then repair can be performed in a limited posterior area, but optimal alignment with tears in other areas cannot be achieved due to anatomical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reverse force direction to overcome anatomical constraints that limit instrument access. By pulling distally on the delivery cannula, the instrument can navigate through tight spaces and reach tears in previously inaccessible areas of the meniscus while maintaining optimal alignment, thereby expanding the accessible tear range without sacrificing precision
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for repairing an anatomical tear, such as a tear in the meniscus of a human knee. The apparatus includes a guide cannula directing a penetrating shaft through the meniscal tear and through the outer skin layer of the knee. The penetrating shaft pulls a line to the outside of the skin layer of the knee where it is used to pull or kedge a repair implant into position across the meniscal tear.