Suture Button with Tapered Ends for Dual Ligament and Internal Bracing Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suture fixation devices are complex, costly, and inefficient, requiring multiple anchors for ligament fixation and internal bracing in orthopedic surgery, which can lead to complications such as loosening and increased surgical time, especially when securing sutures in bone tunnels.
Innovation Solution
A suture button with tapered ends and recesses designed for smooth passage through tissue or bone tunnels, capable of anchoring both ligament fixation and internal brace suture constructs, allowing for dual-purpose use and simplified deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate anchors are used for ligament fixation and internal bracing, then both functions can be achieved, but device complexity and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate anchors (ligament fixation anchor and internal bracing anchor) into a single integrated suture button that performs both functions simultaneously. The suture button includes a body with a first anchor portion for ligament fixation and a second anchor portion for internal bracing, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and reducing surgical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The suture button is designed as a universal fixation device that can simultaneously perform ligament fixation and internal bracing functions. The single device accommodates multiple suture constructs including a ligament fixation suture construct and an internal brace suture construct, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate specialized anchors
2Reliability
If conventional fixation devices are used, then anchoring can be achieved, but surgical time and operation duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture button is pre-configured with multiple anchor portions and passage ways before surgery. The device is designed in advance to accommodate both ligament fixation and internal bracing sutures simultaneously, allowing surgeons to deploy both functions in a single streamlined operation rather than performing sequential anchoring steps with separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
By merging multiple anchoring functions into a single deployable device, the patent reduces the number of surgical steps required. The suture button can be inserted and secured in one action while providing both ligament fixation and internal bracing capabilities, significantly reducing surgical time compared to using separate anchors
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple anchors are deployed at the anchor site, then both ligament and brace fixation are achieved, but wear or crowding at the anchor site increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture button utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement within its body to accommodate multiple suture constructs. The device includes passage ways configured to receive both a ligament fixation suture construct and an internal brace suture construct in different spatial orientations, distributing the fixation points within the body's volume rather than concentrating them at a single surface location, thereby reducing crowding at the anchor site
Data Source
AI summary
A suture button includes a body having first and second ends and first and second sides between the respective ends. Shoulders extend from each side of the body near the respective ends. A first recess is defined between the first and second shoulders on the first side, and a second recess is defined between the first and second shoulders on the second side. Each recess narrows toward its midpoint to receive a suture strand around the body in a loop or a hitch. The shoulders on each end of each recess prevents the suture material, once tightened around the body, from inadvertently slipping off the button. A center passage through the button accommodates passage of one or more suture constructs for ligament fixation and/or internal bracing. One or more holes are defined through the button between the center passage and one or both ends of the button in some embodiments.