Tissue Augmentation Tacks for Distributed, Low-Trauma Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for soft tissue repair, such as screws, staples, and suture anchors, cause trauma and further damage to degenerated tissues, and the application of allografts or xenografts is costly, time-consuming, and requires high skill, leading to inefficiencies in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of tissue augmentation constructs, including tapes, tubes, blocks, rings, washers, and patches, which can be easily attached to sutures to expand the suture footprint, distribute force over a larger area, and promote healing, while being made from materials like fabric, plastic, collagen, or biologics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture anchors and screws are used for soft tissue repair, then tissue attachment is achieved, but tissue trauma and damage increase due to concentrated force on small surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-contact fixation (traditional anchors) to surface-area fixation by introducing augmentation constructs with tissue-engaging surfaces. The constructs extend the contact area from a small anchor point to a broader surface that distributes compressive forces, effectively moving the solution into a different dimensional regime of force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmentation constructs incorporate porous or compliant materials that can deform and conform to the irregular surfaces of soft tissue. This porosity and compliance allow the constructs to adapt to tissue geometry while maintaining stable contact, reducing stress concentrations that would otherwise cause tissue damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If allograft or xenograft formations are applied to expand suture footprint, then tissue damage is reduced, but procedure time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs synthetic augmentation constructs made from cost-effective materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron®) or polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex®). These disposable constructs eliminate the need for expensive biological grafts while providing sufficient functionality for the duration of the repair, significantly reducing procedural costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The constructs are designed with specific geometric parameters including surface area, thickness, and compliance characteristics that can be optimized for different tissue types and repair scenarios. By varying these parameters, the same basic construct design can accommodate diverse clinical requirements without needing custom biological grafts.
3Stress or pressure
If large formation of allograft or xenograft is applied to expand suture footprint, then force distribution improves, but surgical skill requirement and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The augmentation constructs are designed to be self-retaining through friction, compression, and mechanical interlocking with the tissue and suture system. Once positioned, the constructs automatically maintain stable contact with the tissue surface without requiring complex fixation techniques or high-level surgical dexterity for securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal construct design that can be applied across multiple soft tissue repair indications and anatomical locations. The standardized constructs work with various suture configurations and anchor types, reducing the need for surgeon-specific techniques and making the force-distribution benefit accessible to practitioners at different skill levels.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods to improve both the reliability of soft tissue repair procedures and the speed at which the procedures are completed are provided. The devices and systems include one or more tissue augmentation constructs, which include constructs that are configured to increase a footprint across which suture applied force to tissue when the suture is tied down onto the tissue. The tissue augmentation constructs can be quickly and easily associated with the repair suture, and can be useful in many different tissue repair procedures that are disclosed in the application. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more constructs are disposed on a suture threader, which can be used to associate the construct(s) with a repair suture(s) being used to repair the soft tissue. Tissue augmentation constructs can include various blocks and patches, among other formations. Exemplary methods for manufacturing the tissue augmentation constructs are also provided.