Tensionable Tissue Repair with Multi-Row Suture Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Repetitive trauma to joints can lead to tissue defects such as soft tissue tears and cartilage defects, resulting in joint instability and discomfort if left untreated.
Innovation Solution
The use of tensionable tissue repair systems and methods that involve suture anchors and surgical buttons to reduce, fixate, and compress tissue to bone, utilizing a multi-row fixation technique for enhanced footprint compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional single-row fixation is used, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the footprint compression and tissue-to-bone contact are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation technique is divided into multiple rows (first row and second row) with suture anchors positioned at different locations. The first row anchors are inserted at initial positions while the second row anchors are inserted at lateral positions, creating segmented fixation points that collectively enhance footprint compression and tissue-to-bone contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation approach transitions from a single-row (one-dimensional linear arrangement) to a multi-row (two-dimensional distributed arrangement) configuration. By adding a second row of suture anchors lateral to the first row, the system utilizes additional spatial dimension to increase the overall footprint compression and stabilize the tissue-bone interface.
2Reliability
If more suture anchors are inserted to increase footprint compression, then tissue fixation is improved, but the surgical time and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchors are pre-loaded with sutures before insertion into the bone. This preliminary preparation allows the anchors to be inserted and immediately engaged with the tissue in a single surgical motion, reducing the time required for each fixation step while maintaining reliable tissue fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sutures are designed to be tensionable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the fixation force during the surgical procedure. The surgeon can tension the sutures to achieve optimal compression at the tissue-bone interface, ensuring reliable fixation while minimizing the number of anchors needed and reducing overall surgical time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tensioning is applied to secure sutures to surgical buttons, then fixation stability is improved, but the risk of tissue damage or anchor failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sutures are designed with varying thicknesses and material properties (e.g., first suture thicker than second suture) to optimize the tensioning process. By changing the physical parameters of the sutures, the system allows controlled tensioning that achieves stable fixation while minimizing the risk of tissue damage or anchor failure through gradual, progressive loading.
Data Source
AI summary
Tensionable tissue repair systems and methods are provided for reducing and fixating tissue to bone. The proposed systems and methods utilize one or more suture anchors and one or more surgical buttons for reducing and fixating the tissue to the bone. Additional suture anchors may be used as part of a multi-row fixation technique for providing a desired area of footprint compression over top of the tissue.