Suture Passer for Meniscus Tear Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical devices are inadequate for reliably repairing radial meniscus tears arthroscopically, as they often damage surrounding nerves and blood vessels, cannot compress tears uniformly, and are limited to repairing peripheral vertical tears, failing to address the need for effective suturing of both radial and longitudinal tears.

Innovation Solution

The development of suture passer devices with movable arms and a tissue penetrator that can pass sutures through the meniscus along curved paths, allowing for continuous or multiple stitches, and the use of a suture shuttle to secure the suture, enabling secure and precise repair of both radial and longitudinal tears.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current surgical devices are used to repair meniscus tears, then the repair can be performed, but surrounding nerves and blood vessels are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to surrounding tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a suture passer for delivering sutures, a tissue penetrator for creating passages, and a suture shuttle for threading. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling precise suture placement without damaging surrounding tissues while maintaining reliable repair capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A suture shuttle is introduced as an intermediary component that facilitates suture passage through the meniscus tissue. The shuttle acts as a mediator between the suture passer and the tissue, allowing the suture to be threaded through curved paths without direct contact between the suture and tissue that could cause damage to surrounding structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If current surgical devices are used, then vertical tears can be repaired, but radial tears cannot be effectively addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetear type adaptabilityVSAvoidrepair effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suture passer device is designed with universal applicability to repair both vertical and radial meniscus tears. The movable arms and curved path capability allow the same device to adapt to different tear orientations and locations, providing reliable repair effectiveness across various tear types without requiring multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates movable arms that can dynamically adjust their position and angle to accommodate different tear configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows the suture penetrator to access both vertically oriented tears and radially oriented tears with equal effectiveness, enhancing versatility while maintaining repair reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If traditional suture methods are used, then tears can be stitched, but uniform compression of torn surfaces cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture placement easeVSAvoidcompression uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue penetrator is designed to follow curved paths through the meniscus tissue rather than straight lines. This curved trajectory allows the suture to be placed at optimal angles that enable uniform compression across the torn surfaces, achieving precise compression while maintaining ease of operation through the curved path design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows for parameter changes in suture placement including angle, depth, and curvature of the penetration path. By adjusting these parameters, the surgeon can achieve uniform compression of torn surfaces while maintaining ease of operation through the flexible, adjustable design of the suture passer and penetrator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for different tear types, then comprehensive repair is possible, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetear type coverageVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple previously separate devices for repairing different tear types have been merged into a single integrated suture passer device. The combined device incorporates movable arms, a curved-path penetrator, and a suture shuttle system that together provide comprehensive repair capability for both vertical and radial tears, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8920441B2Methods of meniscus repair

Publication Date: 2014.12.30 CETERIX ORTHOPAEDICS INC

AI summary

Methods of repairing knee meniscus tears are described which use suture passer devices and suture shuttles. These methods may be used with continuous suture passing, so that the suture passer device may remain on or in the tissue while passing a suture shuttle, and therefore a suture, back and forth from one side of the tissue to the other. These methods may be used minimally invasively for repairing meniscus tissue while avoiding further damage to the meniscus.