Pre-formed Suture Knot for Bone Alignment and Tissue Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interosseous suture systems for maintaining anatomical relationships between bones are cumbersome, prone to knot slippage, and require time-consuming knot formation, which can lead to post-operative complications due to inadequate tension and tissue irritation.
Innovation Solution
A suture assembly with a restrictable loop structure featuring sliding portions and pre-formed knots that tighten to maintain bone alignment, reducing the need for complex knot formation and minimizing tissue irritation by allowing controlled tension adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knotted suture systems are used to secure bones, then the bones can be held together, but the knot formation is time-consuming and prone to slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-formed with a partially completed knot structure before implantation. The knot is prepared in advance with loops and strands positioned, but not fully tightened, allowing rapid deployment during surgery without requiring time-consuming knot tying in the operating room.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture system is designed to self-tighten and self-secure when tension is applied to the bones. The pre-formed knot structure automatically cinches down and locks when the bones are drawn together, eliminating the need for surgeon manipulation to complete the knot.
2Reliability
If multiple knot throws are formed to prevent slippage, then knot security improves, but tissue irritation increases and operative time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming multiple complete knot throws, the system uses a single pre-formed knot with partial loops that provides sufficient security. The pre-formed structure includes enough friction and mechanical interlocking to prevent slippage without the excessive material bulk of multiple throws.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful aspect of multiple knot throws (excessive material bulk causing tissue irritation) is removed while retaining the essential security function. The pre-formed knot achieves adequate security with minimal material, extracting only what is necessary for function.
3Loss of time
If a partially-formed knot is used to save time, then operative time decreases, but the knot may slip before cinching can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The knot is pre-formed with loops and strands positioned to prevent slippage before tension is applied. The preliminary structure includes friction surfaces and mechanical interlocking elements that secure the knot immediately upon deployment, eliminating the risk of slippage during the cinching phase.
4Reliability
If complex knot formation is required to secure sutures, then knot security improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex knot formation is performed in advance during manufacturing, not during surgery. The pre-formed knot structure is prepared with all necessary loops, strands, and friction surfaces, simplifying the surgical procedure to mere deployment and tensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture system performs the complex knot-tying function automatically through its pre-formed structure and self-tightening mechanism, eliminating the need for surgeon skill and time in complex manipulations.
5Manufacturing precision
If sutures are drawn away from each other at right angles to form knots, then proper knot formation is achieved, but additional surgical exposure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The precise right-angle knot formation is completed during manufacturing with high accuracy. The pre-formed knot maintains the geometric precision required for security without requiring the surgeon to create the angle during surgery, thus reducing surgical exposure requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a relationship between first and second bodies and made up of a suture assembly with at least a first suture configured to define a restrictable loop structure with the suture assembly in an operative state. At least first and second restrictable sub-loops cooperatively define a first loop that can be reduced in size to thereby produce a force on the first and second bodies that urges them towards each other. A first loop length has a first sliding portion with a second loop length having a second sliding portion. At least one knot extends around the first and second sliding portions. The first and second sliding portions, upon each being moved within the at least one knot in a tightening sliding direction, cause a size of a respective sub-loop to be reduced.