Suture Loop Anchor for Soft Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing soft tissues to bone using sutures and anchors are time-consuming and limited by the strength of the knot, which can be weaker than the suture material, especially when improperly tied.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a braided tubular suture configuration where ends are passed through apertures to form loops, allowing tension to constrict and secure soft tissue within a femoral tunnel, using locking members and fasteners to maintain fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sutures and anchors are used to secure soft tissues to bone, then the procedure can be performed, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and the strength of the repair is limited by the knot strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the knot-tying step from the surgical procedure by using a preformed loop suture configuration. The loop is created before implantation, eliminating the need for time-consuming knot tying during surgery. The suture ends are passed through the loop and pulled to tighten it, securing the soft tissue without requiring traditional knot tying.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture loop is preformed during manufacturing before the surgical procedure. This preliminary action of creating the loop structure allows the surgeon to simply pass the suture ends through the loop and pull, rather than having to tie a knot during the procedure. The loop configuration is prepared in advance to eliminate time-consuming intraoperative knot tying.
2Strength
If traditional sutures are used, then the procedure can be completed, but the strength of the repair may be significantly lower than the tensile strength of the suture material when the knot is tied improperly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the variable of knot-tying technique from the equation by eliminating the need for knot tying entirely. The preformed loop configuration allows the suture to be secured by simply passing the ends through the loop and pulling, which is much more consistent and less prone to error than traditional knot tying. This ensures that the full tensile strength of the suture material is utilized.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture loop structure is self-securing. When the suture ends are passed through the loop and pulled, the loop automatically tightens and secures itself around the soft tissue without requiring external manipulation or skillful knot tying. The geometry of the preformed loop provides inherent mechanical advantage that ensures consistent securing strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.