Self-Cinching Suture Construct for Meniscus Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suture constructs for surgical procedures, such as meniscus root repair, often lead to unintentional release of tension over time, causing improper healing and discomfort due to knot-related issues and the tendency of suture buttons to move away from the bone.
Innovation Solution
A self-cinching suture construct device comprising a shuttling suture, a continuous loop, and a self-cinching suture member that forms a hitch around the tissue, with a sleeve providing a clamping effect to maintain tension without knots, allowing for dilation of the passage hole and use with various surgical buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sutures with knots are used to secure tissue, then the suture can be tied off to maintain tension, but the knots cause discomfort and irritation to the soft tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knotted portion from the suture system. Instead of using knots to maintain tension, the patent employs a continuous loop suture configuration where tension is maintained through the loop structure itself, removing the harmful knotted elements that cause tissue irritation while preserving the essential tension-maintenance function
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous loop acts as an intermediary mechanism between the suture ends and the tissue. Rather than directly tying knots on the tissue surface, the loop structure provides an intermediate configuration that maintains tension through its geometric structure, preventing direct contact between knotted suture material and the soft tissue
2Reliability
If a suture button is used to maintain tension after the suture is pulled tight, then the desired tension can be maintained, but the button may move away from the bone causing loss of tension
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic self-adjusting mechanism where the continuous loop suture configuration automatically adjusts to maintain optimal button positioning. As tissue heals and contracts, the loop structure dynamically adapts to maintain constant tension on the button, preventing it from moving away from the bone while ensuring reliable long-term tension maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The suture system performs self-service by automatically maintaining button positioning through the continuous loop configuration. The loop structure inherently provides a mechanical advantage that self-regulates button position against the bone surface without requiring external intervention or complex locking mechanisms, ensuring both tension maintenance and positional stability
3Ease of operation
If the suture is pulled tight to reduce soft tissue to its desired anatomical position, then the tissue can be properly positioned, but the suture has a tendency to allow the button to move slightly away from the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous loop suture configuration provides inherent mechanical feedback that automatically responds to button displacement. When the button begins to move away from the bone, the loop structure creates increased friction and mechanical resistance that provides negative feedback, preventing further displacement and maintaining both proper tissue positioning and reliable tension without requiring additional control mechanisms
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 self-cinching suture construct effectively maintains tension on damaged tissue, preventing loosening and tissue irritation, ensuring proper healing and reducing the risk of suture material cutting through the tissue.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve creates a clamping effect on the self-cinching suture strand passing through the sleeve, preventing the suture from inadvertently loosening
Data Source
AI summary
A knotless self-cinching suture construct device includes a continuous loop and a self-cinching suture member. The suture is configured for insertion into a passage hole in injured soft tissue, such as a torn or damaged meniscus in the knee. The suture and continuous loop are passed entirely through the passage hole in the tissue, and the self-cinching suture member is inserted through the continuous loop to form a hitch using the continuous loop around the tissue. The self-cinching suture member is then pulled tight, allowing a first strand to slide through both the hitched continuous loop and a self-cinching sleeve on the suture member. When tension is applied, the sleeve tightens around the strand much like a finger trap, preventing inadvertent release of the applied suture tension. The suture construct is configured for use through a transosseous tunnel with a detent structure in some embodiments.