Bioabsorbable Suture Button for Syndesmosis Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for ankle syndesmosis injuries, such as metallic or bioabsorbable screw fixation and suture button fixation, face challenges in achieving effective bone fusion and requiring additional procedures for implant removal.
Innovation Solution
A syndesmosis treatment construct comprising a proximal fixator, a distal fixator, and sutures configured to be placed into a cinched configuration, pressing a first bone against a second bone, with a washer fixing the suture ends to maintain the cinched position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw fixation is used for syndesmosis injuries, then strong bone fusion is achieved, but additional procedures are required for implant removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a bioabsorbable suture button that is designed to be temporarily implanted and then naturally absorbed by the body. The suture button performs its fixation function during the healing period and then degrades into absorbable polymers, eliminating the need for removal surgery. This resolves the contradiction by providing strong initial fixation while eliminating the subsequent removal procedure requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture button is designed to be discarded (absorbed) after serving its purpose. The bioabsorbable material is gradually degraded and absorbed by the body's metabolic processes, transforming the implant from a permanent foreign object to a temporary functional element that disappears after healing, thus eliminating the need for removal procedures.
2Reliability
If metallic or bioabsorbable screw fixation is used, then syndesmosis injury treatment is effective, but the treatment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into distinct functional components: a suture button for bone compression and fixation, separate sutures for soft tissue attachment, and a button holder for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall implantation process compared to traditional screw fixation requiring multiple steps and tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture button acts as an intermediary element between the bone and the soft tissue. Instead of directly attaching soft tissue to bone (which would require complex anchoring), the suture button provides a compressed interface that secures both bone fragments and soft tissue attachments, simplifying the overall fixation mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If suture button fixation is used, then implant removal is not required, but bone fusion stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suture button is pre-formed with a compression mechanism that is activated during implantation. The button is inserted in a relaxed state and then compressed against the bone fragments, creating immediate stable fixation. This preliminary compression action ensures bone fusion stability is established before the suture button begins its degradation process, maintaining stability throughout the healing period.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture button is constructed from composite bioabsorbable materials that provide mechanical strength comparable to metallic implants during the critical healing period. The composite material structure includes polymers with high compressive strength and appropriate degradation characteristics, ensuring both stability and eventual absorption without requiring removal procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for a syndesmosis treatment construct configured to be placed into a cinched configuration that presses a first bone against a second bone. The syndesmosis treatment construct comprises a proximal fixator to contact the first bone and a distal fixator to contact the second bone. A first suture and a second suture are parallelly looped through the proximal fixator and oppositely looped through the distal fixator. Distal ends of the first and second sutures are fixated within a washer disposed between the proximal fixator and the first bone. Proximal ends of the first and second sutures are passed through openings in the washer and through the proximal fixator. Pulling of the proximal ends by a practitioner places the syndesmosis treatment construct into a cinched configuration. Any of various suitable suture knots may be formed so as to fixate the cinched configuration.