Suture Fastener with Rotating Inner Member for Tissue Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suture knots used in surgical procedures are weak and prone to 'creep,' leading to loss of tension and improper healing, especially in limited access surgeries where forming a secure knot is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system featuring a fastener with a first and second member, where the second member is slidably and rotatably positioned within the first, allowing the suture to be securely tensioned and locked in place, preventing relative movement with respect to body tissue, using a ratcheting mechanism and energy application to bond the members together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If suture knots are used to secure body tissue, then the suture can be tied and fastened, but the knot weakens the suture and reduces force transmitting capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot entirely from the suture system and replaces it with a separate fastener device that clamps onto the suture. This extraction eliminates the weakening effect of knots on the suture while maintaining the securing function through a different mechanical approach using a fastener with clamping members.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener acts as an intermediary device between the suture and the tissue being secured. Instead of the suture directly forming a knot with itself, the fastener mediates the connection by clamping onto the suture and applying tension, thereby preserving suture strength while achieving the securing objective.
2Reliability
If suture knots are used to secure body tissue, then the suture can be fastened, but the knot exhibits creep where the suture slips through the knot
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the knot and replacing it with a dedicated fastener device, the patent eliminates the creep phenomenon inherent in knots. The fastener's clamping members and tensioning mechanism provide reliable, slip-resistant tension maintenance without the progressive loosening characteristic of suture knots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical system of a knot (which allows creep) with a clamping and tensioning system using a fastener. This substitution introduces positive mechanical engagement through clamping members that actively maintain tension and prevent suture slippage.
3Ease of operation
If suture knots are used in limited access procedures, then the suture can be secured, but it is difficult to form an appropriate knot
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the knot-tying operation from the surgical procedure and replacing it with a pre-formed fastener device, the patent eliminates the difficulty of forming knots in limited access scenarios. The fastener can be positioned and secured using simple instrumentation without requiring the complex manual dexterity needed for traditional knot tying.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener device is designed to be self-securing through its clamping mechanism, eliminating the need for surgical personnel to perform complex knot-tying maneuvers. The device essentially secures itself to the suture and tissue with minimal manipulation, making it ideal for limited access procedures where manual knot formation is difficult.
4Manufacturing precision
If suture knots are used to secure body tissue, then the suture can be fastened, but the knot may not be uniformly tensioned causing pressure on surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the uneven tension distribution of knots with a controlled tensioning system in the fastener. The fastener's design allows for uniform tension application across the suture through its clamping members, preventing localized pressure points that would otherwise occur with improperly tensioned knots.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system incorporates mechanisms that provide feedback on tension distribution, allowing for adjustment to achieve uniform tensioning. This feedback control prevents excessive or uneven tension that would create harmful pressure on surrounding tissue, ensuring precise and controlled force application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains suture tension, preventing creep and misalignment, ensuring proper tissue orientation and healing, even in limited access procedures, by securely fastening the suture to body tissue without the weaknesses of traditional knots.
Implementation Method 1
The fastener may be heated until its material reaches its transition temperature range and then plastically deformed. As the material is heated, it changes from a solid condition, in which it has a fixed form, to a soft or viscous condition.
Implementation Method 2
The fastener may be heated until its material reaches its transition temperature range and then plastically deformed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a surgical system for securing a suture against relative movement with respect to a body tissue. The surgical system includes a fastener and medical device for positioning and securing a fastener onto a suture. The fastener includes inner and outer members that can slide together and rotate. The suture extends through the inner and outer members so that rotation of the inner member causes it to wrap the suture around it. As the suture is wound around the inner member, the fastener is drawn toward a position against the body tissue. Further rotation of the inner member allows tension to be applied to the suture. The fastener may be bonded to the suture in order to further secure the suture against relative movement with respect to the body tissue.