Suture Load Distribution for Bone Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone and soft tissue repair techniques using sutures often cause damage to bones, soft tissues, or the sutures themselves due to friction and tension, leading to fractures or fraying.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a suture construct with anchors and load distributing elements that are slidably positioned along the suture, forming bores in bones to secure the suture construct, distributing tension and preventing direct contact between the suture and bone or tissue, thereby minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a suture is used to stabilize bone or soft tissue portions together, then the bone and soft tissue can be repaired and stabilized, but the suture may rub against the bone and cause the bone to be cut or fracture or the suture to fray
Solution Approach 1:
A load distributing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the suture and the bone. This member distributes the load across a broader area of the bone, preventing the suture from concentrating stress at a single point which would cause cutting or fracturing. The load distributing member acts as a mediator that protects both the suture and bone from direct harmful contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the suture system by introducing a load distributing member with specific geometric characteristics (broad surface area, rounded edges). This changes how force is distributed - instead of a linear concentration of stress along the suture, the force is distributed across a two-dimensional area of the bone, reducing pressure and preventing damage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tension is applied to the suture to secure the repair, then the bone and soft tissue are stabilized, but the suture may fray or break due to excessive stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The load distributing member serves as a mediator that protects the suture from direct contact with the bone surface. By distributing the tensile load across a broader area through this intermediary component, the suture is shielded from friction and stress concentration that would otherwise cause fraying or breaking under tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The load distributing member is positioned on the bone surface before the suture is fully tensioned and secured. This preliminary placement ensures that when tension is applied, the load distribution geometry is already in place to protect the suture from stress concentration and friction-induced damage.
3Reliability
If the suture contacts the bone directly to provide fixation, then the repair is secured, but friction between the suture and bone causes damage to both
Solution Approach 1:
The load distributing member is positioned between the suture and the bone to eliminate direct contact. This intermediary component provides a protective interface that maintains fixation reliability while preventing friction-induced damage to both the suture and bone tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The load distributing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fixation support, distributes mechanical load, protects the suture from friction and cutting, and protects the bone from stress concentration. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable fixation without harmful friction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securing a flexible member may include forming a bore in a bone; inserting an anchor into the bore, the anchor including a passage and being coupled to a flexible member; slideably positioning a first load distributing member along the flexible member; inserting the first load distributing member into the bore such that the flexible member engages the first load distributing member; and applying tension to a portion of the flexible member to secure the anchor and load distributing member within the bone.