Preformed Loop Suture for Soft Tissue Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing soft tissues to bone using sutures and anchors are time-consuming and limited by the strength of the knot, which can be weaker than the suture material, especially when improperly tied, and do not effectively maintain tension.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a braided tubular suture configuration where ends are passed through apertures to form loops, which are then threaded through a femoral tunnel, allowing for tension to be applied to constrict the loops and secure soft tissue, using a locking member with different profiles for insertion and engagement, and optionally coupled with collapsible tubes for adjustable length and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sutures and anchors are used to secure soft tissues to bone, then the procedure can be performed with conventional materials, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and the strength is limited by the knot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying step from the overall procedure by using a preformed loop suture configuration. The loop is created during suture manufacturing rather than during surgery, eliminating the time-consuming knot-tying process while maintaining the security and strength of the fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture loop is preformed during manufacturing before the surgical procedure. This preliminary action of creating the loop structure in advance allows the surgeon to simply pass the suture through tissue and bone without needing to tie knots during the procedure, thereby reducing procedure time while ensuring consistent loop strength.
2Strength
If traditional sutures with knots are used, then the procedure can be completed with standard materials, but the knot strength may be significantly lower than the tensile strength of the suture material when improperly tied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot element from the suture system and replaces it with a preformed loop structure. This extraction eliminates the weak link (the knot) that limited the overall strength of the repair, allowing the full tensile strength of the suture material to be utilized.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating a knot through manual manipulation, the patent uses a preformed loop suture where the loop structure is precisely manufactured in advance. This copying of the loop geometry during manufacturing ensures consistent dimensions and strength characteristics that cannot be achieved through manual knot-tying.
3Productivity
If a preformed loop suture is used, then the procedure time is reduced and strength is improved, but the loop may relax when tension is released allowing suture to translate back through the passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where an inner suture is passed through the passage and an outer suture is passed through both the passage and the inner suture. This nested configuration creates interdependence between the two sutures, providing mechanical constraint that prevents the loop from relaxing and the suture from translating back through the passage when tension is released.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple suture elements (inner suture and outer suture) into a single integrated system. The outer suture passes through the inner suture, merging their functions to provide both the preformed loop structure for efficiency and the mechanical constraint for tension maintenance and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue is disclosed. A plurality of collapsible tubes are positioned about the suture. The collapsible tubes are pushed through soft tissue and orthopedic mesh on opposite sides of a tear in soft tissue. When tension is applied to the suture, the tubes are compressed to fix the suture to the soft tissue and draw the soft tissue portions together.