Suture-Button Construct for Bunion Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bunion repair surgical procedures are technically challenging, often require invasive approaches, and result in complications such as delayed union, malunion, and prolonged recovery times due to the need for rigid fixation methods.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive surgical technique using a suture-button construct with indirect placement of buttons across the first and second metatarsal bones, employing a suture anchor and buttons made of materials like titanium or PEEK, to correct intermetatarsal angular deformity with reduced tissue damage and faster recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid fixation methods are used for bunion repair, then stable bone alignment is achieved, but recovery time is prolonged and post-operative morbidity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fixation method from rigid mechanical fixation to soft tissue-based suture-button construct, fundamentally altering the stabilization mechanism to achieve both reliability and faster recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical rigid fixation systems with a soft tissue-based suture-button construct, substituting hard mechanical constraints with flexible soft tissue structures that still provide adequate stabilization while allowing faster healing
2Manufacturing precision
If invasive surgical approaches are used to correct intermetatarsal angle, then deformity correction is achieved, but tissue damage increases and recovery is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The suture-button construct serves as an intermediary mechanism that corrects the intermetatarsal angle indirectly through soft tissue manipulation rather than direct bone cutting and rigid fixation, reducing tissue trauma while achieving deformity correction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses flexible soft tissue structures (capsule, ligaments, tendons) combined with buttons to achieve angle correction, replacing rigid mechanical systems with flexible biological tissues that cause less damage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If soft tissue repair alone is used to correct bunion deformity, then tissue preservation is improved, but fixation strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite construction combining soft tissue structures (capsule, ligaments, tendons) with buttons to form a hybrid fixation system that maintains tissue preservation while significantly enhancing fixation strength beyond what soft tissue alone can provide
Data Source
AI summary
A method for bunion repair using a suture anchor-button construct. The suture anchor-button construct includes a suture anchor, a button, and a suture strand attached through the suture anchor and passing through holes in the button. A first diameter hole is drilled through the first metatarsal and a second, smaller diameter hole is drilled through the second metatarsal. The suture anchor of the construct is passed through the hole in the first metatarsal and into the hole in the second metatarsal, and the suture anchor is screwed into the second metatarsal. The first metatarsal and the second metatarsal are pushed together to correct the intermetatarsal angular deformity. The button of the construct is then advanced against the medial surface of the first metatarsal, and the button is secured in place by tying the suture ends together.