Multiple-Pass Self-Cinching Suture for Slip-Resistant Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suture constructs in orthopedic surgery face issues with loosening due to knot slippage and mechanical failure under cyclic loading, leading to undesirable outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A self-cinching suture construct with a multiple pass configuration, featuring a self-cinching section with co-axially aligned segments of a single suture strand, enhances mechanical constriction and prevents slippage by using a double pass mechanism with a tag end housed inside the self-cinching section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional knotted suture constructs are used, then the suture can be tightened and maintained, but the knots may loosen over time leading to reduced effectiveness and complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot element from the suture construct by implementing a knotless self-cinching design. The suture strand is configured to cinch itself automatically through a self-cinching mechanism that eliminates the need for traditional knots, thereby maintaining reliability without knot-related loosening issues while reducing device complexity associated with knot tying and securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture construct is designed with self-cinching capability where the suture strand automatically tightens and secures itself without requiring external knots or anchors. The self-cinching section of the suture strand mechanically constricts upon tensioning, allowing the device to maintain and regulate its own tension through its inherent structural design.
2Reliability
If knotless self-cinching suture constructs are used, then knot-related complications are eliminated, but the construct may slip during cyclic loading leading to loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The suture strand is divided into distinct functional segments including a self-cinching section with multiple co-axially aligned segments. This segmentation allows different portions of the suture to perform specific functions: the self-cinching section provides mechanical constriction through its multi-segment configuration, while other sections maintain tensile strength, collectively preventing slippage under cyclic loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-cinching section incorporates multiple co-axially aligned segments of the suture strand nested within each other. This nested configuration creates a mechanically interlocked structure that resists slippage during cyclic loading, as the nested segments constrain each other's movement while maintaining the overall structural integrity and tensile strength of the construct.
3Reliability
If multiple passes of suture strand are used in the self-cinching section, then mechanical constriction is enhanced to prevent slippage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple passes of the suture strand into a single integrated self-cinching section where the suture strand passes through itself multiple times in a co-axial arrangement. This merging of multiple passes into one unified structural element enhances mechanical constriction and prevents slippage while avoiding the complexity of separate components, as the multi-pass configuration is achieved through the continuous suture strand itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple pass self-cinching suture construct includes a strand of suture material. A fixed loop is formed at one end, and an adjustable loop is formed at the opposite end. A self-cinching section is disposed between the fixed loop and the adjustable loop. The self-cinching section includes a first pass of a tag end axially through the interior of the self-sinching section to form the fixed loop. The opposite tag end passes axially through the interior of two co-axial suture segments inside the self-cinching section, forming an adjustable loop. As the adjustable loop tag end is pulled, tension is applied and the self-cinching section constricts to maintain tension. In some embodiments, the self-cinching section includes at least four segments of the strand of suture material co-axially aligned along the self-cinching section.