Orthopedic Button Suture Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing button suture devices for orthopedic stabilization often experience loss of suture tension over time, and the process of tying knots during surgical procedures can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic stabilization device featuring a first button with a locking loop and a locking member, where the suture is frictionally retained between the locking member and the locking loop, maintaining tension without the need for knots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If knotted assemblies are used to maintain suture tension, then the bone segments can be held in tension, but the suture tension is lost over time and knot-tying is burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying function from the suture assembly process and replaces it with a button-based locking mechanism. The button is advanced through the bone tunnel and secures the suture ends without requiring knots, thereby eliminating the burdensome knot-tying step while maintaining reliable tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The button serves as an intermediary device between the suture and the bone segments. Instead of directly knotting the suture to itself, the button mediates the tension by providing a secure anchoring point for the suture ends, preventing slippage and maintaining tension over time.
2Reliability
If knotted assemblies are used to stabilize bone segments, then the bones can be held together, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The button is pre-loaded with the suture ends in a controlled environment before surgery. During the surgical procedure, the pre-assembled button-suture construct is simply advanced through the bone tunnel as a single unit, eliminating the time-consuming steps of knot-tying and securing during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex knot-tying procedure is extracted from the surgical workflow and replaced with the simple act of advancing the button through the tunnel. This substitution dramatically reduces surgical time while maintaining effective bone segment stabilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional button suture devices are used, then bone stabilization can be achieved, but suture tension is not maintained long-term
Solution Approach 1:
The button is designed to dynamically interact with the suture ends and bone tunnel walls. The button's geometry allows it to engage the suture ends securely while permitting controlled movement during insertion, then locks into a stable configuration that maintains tension long-term without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The button features localized geometric characteristics at specific regions: a leading edge for smooth tunnel passage, lateral surfaces for suture engagement, and a trailing configuration for secure locking. These localized quality variations enable the simple button structure to achieve reliable long-term tension maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively maintains suture tension, preventing bone segment separation and simplifying the surgical procedure by eliminating the need for knot-tying.
Implementation Method 1
the suture is frictionally retained between the locking member and the locking loop, maintaining tension without the need for knots
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic stabilization device is provided having a first button and a suture. The first button includes a base portion and a locking loop extending from a distal surface thereof, and a locking member slidably receiving the locking loop. At least a portion of the suture extends through the locking loop superior the locking member in the axial direction and at least a portion of the suture extends through the locking loop inferior the locking member in the axial direction such that a portion of said suture is frictionally retainable between said locking member and said locking loop when the suture is tensioned. The device may include a second button with the suture disposed between the first and second buttons such that the suture may be held in tension therebetween.