Tissue Spacer for Suture Slack Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture constructs for tissue repair often result in excess slack due to the compressible nature of tissue, leading to gap formation and complications during rehabilitation, and current methods for removing slack can cause damage to surrounding tissue and are limited by the need for manual tensioning.

Innovation Solution

A suture construct and method that apply tension between portions of the construct rather than between the construct and the patient's anatomy, using a tool to apply calibrated tension and reduce slack, thereby minimizing the need for manual pulling and reducing recovery time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If surgeons manually pull on the suture construct to remove slack, then some slack is reduced, but surrounding tissue is damaged and remaining slack cannot be fully eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslack removal precisionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A tissue spacer is introduced as an intermediary device between the suture construct and surrounding tissues. The spacer provides a mechanical interface that allows surgeons to apply tension to remove slack without directly pulling on fragile surrounding tissues, thereby eliminating harmful forces while achieving complete slack removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue spacer is designed to be self-retaining within the tissue gap, using its own structural properties (compressible yet tension-resistant materials) to maintain tensioning forces without requiring continuous external manipulation or additional anchoring to surrounding tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If surgeons manually tension the suture construct, then some slack is removed, but complete slack elimination is impossible due to physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslack removal completenessVSAvoidmanual tensioning limitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue spacer acts as a mechanical lever and force amplifier, allowing surgeons to apply controlled tension through the spacer structure rather than directly on the suture. This intermediary mechanism enables complete slack removal by providing mechanical advantage that overcomes the limitations of manual pulling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue spacer is designed with specific mechanical parameters (material stiffness, geometry, compression characteristics) that transform the force application parameters. By changing the mechanical parameters of the tensioning system through the spacer design, complete slack elimination becomes achievable while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high tension is applied to remove all slack, then gap formation is prevented, but surrounding tissue is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap formation resistanceVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue spacer serves as a force distribution intermediary that applies tension locally to the suture construct while isolating surrounding tissues from harmful forces. The spacer's structure allows high tension to be concentrated on the suture where needed for gap prevention, while the surrounding tissues only experience minimal compressive or distracting forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue spacer creates localized force application zones: high tension is concentrated on the suture construct at the repair site to prevent gap formation, while surrounding tissues experience different, minimized force levels. This spatial differentiation of force quality allows high reliability without widespread tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If traditional suture patterns with interlocking loops are used, then knot security is improved, but slack removal is resisted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknot securityVSAvoidslack removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue spacer is applied and tensioned before final knot tying. This preliminary tensioning action removes slack from the suture construct while the spacer is still in place providing mechanical support, allowing easy slack removal before the knots are finalized and locked into their tension-resistant configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10695048B2Slack removal in suture constructs for tissue repair

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 DEAN RYAN

AI summary

Utilities (e.g., systems, methods, etc.) for reducing or limiting slack in stitching or suture constructs secured to tissues in a manner that limits the need for surgeons to physically pull on patients' muscles to remove such slack and that may ultimately reduce recovery time for patients. In one aspect, a method of creating or anchoring a suture construct (e.g., a method of stitching) in tissue in a manner that produces first and second opposite portions of the construct that can be pulled apart in any appropriate manner to apply a tension in the construct to remove slack therein substantially free of pulling on patients' muscles to remove such slack is disclosed. The present utilities also describe a tool that can be used to automatically apply a predetermined level of tension to a suture construct to remove slack therein.