Stiffened Suture Coil for Blind Bone Bore Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for shuttling sutures through blind bone holes during tissue repair are cumbersome, costly, and unreliable, particularly when retrieving loose ends, which can lead to inadequate repair of tissues like the rotator cuff or ligaments.
Innovation Solution
A suture thread coated with a stiffening agent is formed into a self-supporting coil, which is introduced into a blind bone bore and retrieved from an intersecting bore using a suture retriever with a helical coil, allowing for minimal invasive tissue tunnel creation and secure thread passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known methods are used to shuttle suture through blind bone holes, then the suture can be passed through the bone tunnels, but the methods are cumbersome and unreliable particularly when retrieving loose ends
Solution Approach 1:
A stiffening agent is applied to the suture thread to create a self-supporting coil structure. This intermediary substance enables the suture to maintain its shape during passage through blind bone holes, significantly improving reliability and ease of retrieval compared to traditional methods
2Strength
If mechanical anchors are used to reattach tendon to bone, then the reattachment strength is sufficient, but the amount of foreign hardware increases leading to higher rejection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the mechanical anchor component from the repair construct, replacing it with a suture-based solution that achieves equivalent or superior reattachment strength while minimizing foreign body rejection risk by eliminating metal hardware
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional suture methods are used, then the procedure can be completed, but the space required is larger and the invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is formed into a coil configuration that can navigate through small, minimally invasive bone tunnels. The curved, self-supporting structure allows passage through intersecting bone bores with minimal space requirements, reducing tissue damage while maintaining procedural feasibility
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
This method provides a more reliable and minimally invasive approach for reattaching soft tissue to bone, reducing the risk of suture thread breakage and foreign body rejection, while maintaining sufficient strength and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
a suture thread coated with a stiffening agent to increase a rigidity of the suture thread
Implementation Method 2
a suture retriever having a helical coil or 'cork screw' at the distal end thereof. The coil may function as a hook at the distal end of the suture retriever which may be rotated to present several opportunities for the retriever coil to engage the suture coil
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device is provided comprising a suture thread coated with a stiffening agent and having a shape of a coil having a plurality of windings. The suture thread may be used to reconnect soft tissue to bone tissue. The suture thread may be used in conjunction with a suture sheath which is inhibited from movement relative to the suture thread.