Surgical Applicator for Pushing Suture Button Through Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
In reconstructive surgeries, particularly for small joints like hallux valgus correction and lisfranc ligament repair, it is difficult to pass a suture-button construct through drilled holes due to the challenge of pulling the needle and attached suture/button construct, and achieving proper positioning of buttons is also problematic.
Innovation Solution
A surgical applicator designed to securely engage a suture/button construct, allowing the button to be pushed through tissue or bone tunnels instead of being pulled, using a mechanism where the suture is wrapped around a securing device on the handle, facilitating accurate placement without the need for needle-assisted pulling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a needle is used to pull the suture/button construct through a drilled hole, then the construct can be inserted through tissue, but the pulling process becomes difficult in certain circumstances such as hallux valgus correction and lisfranc ligament repair
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pulling the suture/button construct through the drilled hole using a needle as in conventional methods, the invention inverts the approach by pushing the construct through the hole using a specialized applicator device. This reversal of the force direction eliminates the difficulty of pulling through tight or difficult-to-reach anatomical locations while maintaining effective insertion capability
2Manufacturing precision
If the suture/button construct is pulled through using a needle, then the button can be positioned, but proper positioning becomes difficult in certain circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary applicator device that facilitates precise button positioning. This mediator device includes features such as a tapered tip for smooth insertion, a flared distal end for stable positioning, and a longitudinal groove that guides the suture/button construct, thereby achieving accurate positioning without the difficulties associated with needle-based methods
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(a)~4(c)
AI summary
An applicator (50) designed to securely engage a button (71, 81, 82) of the suture/button construct (70, 80). The button of the suture/button construct is securely engaged by the shaft (1) of the applicator. The suture (88) from the button may be wrapped around a securing device (4) (for example, a rod or bolt) located on or within the handle (2). The applicator with the secured button is introduced into the tissue (for example, soft tissue or a bone tunnel) and the button is passed through the tissue.