Reinforcement Ribbon Whip-Stitching for Ligament Grafts
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ligament graft preparation techniques often result in uneven tension distribution, graft deformation, and excessive elongation under load, leading to trauma and increased surgical complexity and time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a reinforcement ribbon with suture tails to create multiple loops along the graft, providing structural support and distributing tension evenly, thereby reducing the risk of deformation and elongation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional suture stitching techniques are used to prepare the graft, then the graft can be secured for passing through tunnels, but the tension is not distributed uniformly along the length of the stitching causing trauma to the graft and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement ribbon is divided into multiple segments along its length, with each segment having sutures that are spaced apart. This segmentation allows the tension to be distributed across multiple discrete stitching points rather than concentrated at a single location, preventing trauma to the graft while maintaining overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement ribbon provides localized reinforcement at specific points along the graft where sutures are applied. Each local area where a suture is placed has enhanced strength and stress distribution, while the overall graft structure benefits from these localized improvements without requiring uniform reinforcement throughout the entire graft.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional graft preparation techniques are used, then the graft can be prepared for insertion, but the procedures are complicated and take up a significant portion of surgical time
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement ribbon is pre-formed with sutures already attached and positioned at predetermined locations along its length. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex intraoperative suturing procedures, significantly reducing surgical time while maintaining ease of graft preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement ribbon is designed as a self-contained component with integrated sutures that can be directly applied to the graft without requiring additional surgical tools or complex procedures. The ribbon essentially prepares itself for graft insertion, simplifying the overall preparation process and reducing surgical time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the graft is subjected to load, then the graft must maintain its structural integrity, but the graft deforms and experiences excessive elongation due to uneven tension distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement ribbon with spaced-apart sutures creates multiple discrete anchoring points along the graft. When load is applied, these segmented attachment points distribute the force evenly along the graft length, preventing localized deformation and excessive elongation while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement ribbon modifies the mechanical parameters of the graft by adding structured reinforcement at specific locations. This changes the stress distribution pattern from uniform to localized, allowing the graft to better withstand loads without deforming or elongating excessively.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for preparing a ligament graft construct for a ligament reconstruction or repair procedure are provided. In general, the described techniques utilize a reinforcement material having at least one suture tail extending therefrom. The reinforcement material is a ribbon or a ribbon-like flattened portion attached to or integrally formed with the at least one suture tail. To prepare a tissue repair construct, the reinforcement material is positioned on a first surface of a graft to extend from an end thereof and the at least one suture tail, coupled to a needle, is repeatedly passed through the reinforcement material and the surface of the graft to a second surface of the graft, and around a side portion of the graft to thereby create multiple suture loops. The tissue repair construct can be formed on each end of the graft.