Non-Sliding Suture Tape Construct with Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In soft tissue to bone repair procedures, such as rotator cuff repairs, the use of suture tape presents a challenge as it forms large, irritating knots or requires additional steps to prevent sliding, which can cause damage, especially in double row repairs where non-sliding sutures are preferred to avoid knot formation and tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A non-sliding suture tape construct is developed, featuring a length of fibrous filament with protrusions that prevent sliding when deployed, allowing it to function as a suture anchor without forming large knots or requiring additional steps, by incorporating a flat braided material that is woven through the fibrous filament and has angled protrusions to secure the suture tape in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If suture tape is used in soft tissue to bone repair procedures, then tissue-to-bone contact area and pressure distribution are improved, but knot size increases causing post-operative pain
Solution Approach 1:
The suture tape is divided into multiple strands (e.g., two or more) that are passed through the tissue separately and then joined at the distal end. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, less irritating knots or alternative joining methods while maintaining the distributed pressure benefit of suture tape across the tissue-to-bone interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture tape strands are nested within each other or woven together in a pattern that creates a compact knot structure. The strands are interlaced in a specific sequence that reduces the overall knot volume while maintaining secure fixation, thereby reducing post-operative irritation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-sliding suture is used with knotless anchors, then additional steps and tissue damage are reduced, but suture sliding control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The suture tape is pre-configured with barbs or engagement features at specific locations before insertion. These features are designed to engage with the knotless anchor or bone tunnel in a predetermined manner, automatically preventing sliding once the suture is tensioned, thereby eliminating the need for additional maintenance steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture tape incorporates curved or angled barbs that follow the natural path of the suture through the tissue and anchor. These curved engagement features provide mechanical interlocking that prevents sliding in the direction of tension while allowing easy insertion, thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing tissue damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sliding suture is used in double row repair, then knot formation is avoided, but additional steps are required that can cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The suture tape construct incorporates self-locking features such as barbs, frictions surfaces, or engagement elements that automatically maintain tension without requiring additional surgical steps. The suture tape is designed to self-regulate its tension through mechanical means, eliminating the need for secondary procedures to prevent sliding while avoiding knot formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture tape changes its mechanical parameters along its length, with varying friction coefficients, barb densities, or engagement feature configurations. This gradient design allows the suture to have low friction during insertion for ease of operation, then automatically transition to a high-friction or locked state once deployed, preventing sliding without additional steps.
4Strength
If horizontal mattress stitch is formed with suture tape, then soft tissue to bone fixation is achieved, but large irritating knots are created
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal mattress stitch is formed using multiple segmented strands of suture tape instead of a single continuous tape. Each strand is individually passed through the tissue and then joined at the distal end using a secure but compact connection method, distributing the fixation strength across multiple smaller elements that create less irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple suture tape strands are merged or joined together at the distal end using a combining technique such as weaving, braiding, or mechanical joining. This merging creates a single secure attachment point that maintains the fixation strength of the horizontal mattress stitch while consolidating the knot structure into a smaller, less irritating configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A suture tape construct having a first section formed from a fibrous filament that extends from a first end to a second end and has a pair of a one-way protrusions extending therefrom. An anchor is positioned along the suture construct and, when the construct is deployed, is captured between the protrusions. The anchor may be a second section formed from braided suture material that is woven about the first section. The braided suture material can be deployed to form an all suture anchor while protrusions extending from the suture anchor proximately to the location of the deployed suture anchor prevent movement of the second section relative to the first section, thus forming a non-sliding suture tape anchored by the deployed braided material. The anchor may be a threaded anchor having an eyelet that is captured between the protrusions.