Suture Double Trap Mechanism for Ligament Fixation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture loop-button constructs for ligament implantation surgery are prone to breaking due to mechanical stress and slippage, especially when the loop size adjusts during surgery, leading to issues with securing bone-tendon-bone grafts in varying bone thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A suture assembly with a double trap mechanism that increases resistance to expansion by threading suture portions through a lumen and forming additional traps, allowing the double loop to be securely anchored through button apertures, thereby preventing undesirable widening during and after implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a double trap mechanism is used to allow loop size adjustment for varying bone thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but the loop tends to expand due to slippage in the double trap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested trap structure where a second trap is formed within the first trap by threading the suture through the lumen again. This nested configuration allows the traps to work together - the first trap provides initial capture while the second nested trap prevents slippage and expansion, thus maintaining both adjustability and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates the double trap structure in advance during device assembly, with the suture pre-threaded through the lumen to form both traps. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the loop is tightened during surgery, the nested trap structure is already in place to prevent slippage and maintain loop size stability
2Reliability
If the double trap length is expanded to reduce slippage, then loop stability is improved, but construction of the construct becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the single trap length, the patent nests a second trap within the first trap by threading the suture through the same lumen again. This nested approach provides enhanced slippage resistance without requiring a longer trap structure, thus avoiding construction difficulties associated with extended trap lengths
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed sized loop is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to varying bone thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic loop structure with a trap mechanism that allows the loop size to be adjusted during surgery. The trap can be tightened to different degrees to accommodate varying bone thicknesses, transforming a static fixed-size loop into a dynamic adjustable structure that maintains manufacturing precision while gaining adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A suture assembly, including a button having two apertures and a suture defining a lumen and forming a double loop, formed by a double trap formed in the suture, opposed to the button, and in which a first portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen of the double trap and a second portion of the suture is also threaded through the lumen of the double trap, so that two portions of suture are positioned together in the double trap. The first portion of the suture, after emerging from the double trap, is threaded through the lumen again, thereby forming a second trap, increasing resistance of the double loop to expansion, the double loop being threaded through the apertures of the button, the suture having two suture ends that are threaded through the button apertures and accessible on a side of the button opposed to the double loop.