Self-locking Suture Construct for Knotless Bone Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arthroscopic procedures using sutures and suture anchors are time-consuming and limited by the strength of knots, which can lead to increased costs and reduced repair effectiveness, especially when securing soft tissue to bone or coupling separated tissue portions.
Innovation Solution
A method employing a flexible member with a self-locking construct featuring adjustable loops, allowing for knotless securement of tissue to bone by sliding and tensioning the suture tail through anchors implanted in bone, without the need for knots, using a device with a suture retention assembly to facilitate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures and suture anchors are used to secure soft tissue to bone, then the tissue can be secured to bone, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot-tying step from the traditional suture anchor procedure by using a pre-formed loop construct that self-locks around the suture tail. This extraction of the time-consuming knot-tying operation while maintaining the tissue-securing function directly resolves the contradiction between reliability and procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture construct is pre-formed with a loop configuration before implantation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for intraoperative knot-tying, allowing the surgeon to simply pass the pre-configured construct through the anchor and tighten it, thereby reducing procedural time while ensuring reliable tissue securement.
2Reliability
If sutures are tied into knots to secure tissue, then the suture can be anchored, but the procedure becomes difficult to perform and the strength is limited by the knot
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct performs its own anchoring function through the self-locking loop mechanism that automatically secures around the suture tail without requiring manual knot-tying. This self-service approach eliminates the complexity of knot formation while providing reliable anchorage, directly addressing both the strength and ease of operation concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical knot-tying system with a friction-based self-locking loop mechanism. This substitution eliminates the complexity of manipulating suture ends to form knots while providing equivalent or superior anchoring strength, thereby improving ease of operation during arthroscopic procedures.
3Reliability
If traditional suture anchors are used, then tissue can be secured, but the capacity of the surgeon is limited and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture construct features a localized self-locking loop configuration at the anchoring point, which concentrates the securing function in a specific region. This localized design simplifies the overall procedure by eliminating the need for complex knot-tying operations, thereby increasing surgeon capacity and reducing procedural time while maintaining repair strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.