Spreadable Web Tissue Fixation for Knotless Soft Tissue Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical methods for tissue repair and fixation, particularly soft tissue to bone, face challenges such as the need for knot formation, multiple passing steps, and limited handling through small portals, which can complicate the procedure and reduce fixation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surgical construct featuring a spreadable web with flexible filaments or strands coupled to peripheral members, allowing for knotless fixation by expanding to various widths, enhancing fixation and uniform tissue compression without knots, and facilitating easier handling through small portals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional surgical methods are used for tissue repair, then fixation can be achieved, but knot formation is required and multiple passing steps are needed which complicates the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying step from the surgical procedure by using a pre-formed loop construct that eliminates the need for intraoperative knot formation. The loop construct is passed through the tissue defect in a single continuous motion, removing the complex multi-step knotting process while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical construct is prepared in advance with a pre-formed loop configuration before the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation allows the construct to be simply passed through the tissue defect during surgery without requiring complex knot formation or multiple passing steps during the actual surgical procedure.
2Ease of operation
If traditional fixation methods are used, then tissue can be secured, but handling through small portals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical construct is designed as a segmented loop configuration that can be compressed into a compact form for insertion through small arthroscopic portals. The loop structure allows the construct to be divided into manageable segments that can pass through limited access points and then expand to their full functional configuration within the joint space.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop construct utilizes dimensional transformation by being compressed into a low-profile configuration for portal insertion, then expanding into a three-dimensional loop structure within the joint space. This dimensional change allows the construct to pass through small portals while maintaining its functional integrity for tissue fixation.
3Reliability
If conventional fixation constructs are used, then tissue can be fixed, but uniform soft tissue compression is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The loop construct is designed with specific local characteristics including loop size, filament material properties, and tension distribution features that enable uniform compression across the tissue defect. The loop configuration creates localized compression zones that distribute force evenly across the soft tissue, promoting consistent healing while maintaining reliable fixation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the spreadable web is made expandable to various widths, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spreadable web is designed with dynamic expandability features allowing it to transition from a compact inserted state to an expanded functional state within the joint space. The web can be tensioned to various widths by adjusting the tension on the filaments, providing adaptability to different tissue defect sizes while using a relatively simple expandable structure based on filament tensioning rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical constructs, assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A surgical construct includes a spreadable web attached to a plurality of peripheral strands. The spreadable web is tensionable and includes one or more elastic filaments or elastic strands. At least one of the elastic filaments is coupled to the peripheral strands. The elastic filaments can extend from the peripheral strands in different directions and/or orientations. The spreadable web is expandable and can be adjusted to various widths. The spreadable web can be knotless. The spreadable web can be tensionable. The surgical construct can be attached to one or more knotted or knotless fixation devices.