Suture Passer Device for Soft Tissue Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for repairing soft tissues in skeletal joints, particularly those that are difficult to access, have been inadequate in effectively addressing elongation, shortening, or rupture issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a bone tunnel through the proximal phalanx, passing a repair suture through the soft tissue to be repaired, and securing it, using a suture passer device that includes a needle assembly and barrel assembly to facilitate the passage of the suture through the bone tunnel and soft tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bone tunnel is formed through the proximal phalanx to repair soft tissue, then the repair effectiveness is improved, but the surgical complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is divided into distinct sequential steps: forming the bone tunnel, passing the suture through the tunnel, then retrieving and securing the suture. This segmentation allows each step to be performed with specialized tools and techniques, improving overall repair reliability while managing complexity through systematic progression
Solution Approach 2:
A suture retriever device acts as an intermediary tool to facilitate suture passage through the bone tunnel. The retriever includes a receiver that captures the suture and mechanisms to advance and retrieve it, serving as a mediator between the surgeon and the difficult-to-access bone tunnel, thereby improving repair effectiveness while providing a controlled method to manage surgical complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If sutures are passed through difficult to access joint locations, then the ability to repair challenging anatomical locations is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture retriever employs a radial insertion mechanism where the needle inserts laterally into the bone tunnel rather than attempting direct linear passage. This dimensional approach allows the suture to be advanced through the tunnel wall from the side, making the operation easier while expanding the ability to reach challenging anatomical locations
Solution Approach 2:
The suture retriever device serves as an intermediary that simplifies the complex task of suture passage. It includes a receiver to capture the suture, a needle for lateral insertion, and advancement mechanisms that translate simple surgeon actions into precise suture placement within the bone tunnel, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability to difficult locations
3Strength
If the metapodial bone is kept intact during surgery, then bone structural integrity is preserved, but the ability to access deep joint structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of compromising the overall bone structure, the procedure creates a localized bone tunnel through the proximal phalanx. This local modification provides the necessary access to deep joint structures while preserving the global structural integrity of the metapodial bone, as the tunnel is a controlled, localized feature rather than a widespread structural change
Solution Approach 2:
The bone tunnel acts as an intermediary pathway that connects the external surgical access point to the deep joint structures. It provides a controlled channel for suture passage and tissue repair while maintaining the bone's overall structural integrity, effectively mediating between the need for access and the need to preserve bone strength
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and instruments for repairing soft tissues of a skeletal joint such as for example of the foot or hand are presented.