Woven Suture Cable Twist Lock for Consistent Sternum Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sternotomy sutures, such as those made of stainless-steel wire, require manual or tool-assisted twisting to form a twist-tie, which can be cumbersome and may not maintain consistent tension over time, leading to potential loosening of the sternum halves.
Innovation Solution
A surgical suture apparatus with a woven, shape-retaining cable that forms a twist lock by intertwining leading and trailing end portions, utilizing a twister tool to create a secure locking mechanism that maintains tension through plastic deformation of the wires, preventing loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual or tool-assisted twisting is used to form a twist-tie, then the suture can be secured, but the process becomes cumbersome and tension consistency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suture cable is designed to twist and lock itself through its own structural properties. The woven wires automatically interlock and maintain tension without requiring external tools or manual twisting operations, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for complex twisting maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and structural configuration of the cable from a simple wire to a woven cable with specific geometric properties. This parameter change enables the cable to maintain tension through its woven structure itself, eliminating the need for external twisting operations and improving both reliability and ease of operation
2Reliability
If traditional twist-tie method is used, then the sternum halves can be secured, but additional locking devices may be required to prevent loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The woven cable structure serves its own locking function through the inherent geometry of the woven wires. The cables twist and interlock themselves, creating a self-locking mechanism that eliminates the need for separate locking devices or additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the suture cable and the locking mechanism into a single integrated component. The woven cable simultaneously provides tensile strength and locking action, combining what were previously separate functions (cable and twist-tie) into one unified structure that reduces overall device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The twist lock securely holds bone portions together, maintaining tension for effective healing by resisting relative movement and loosening, without the need for additional locking devices.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a twister tool to create a secure locking mechanism that maintains tension through plastic deformation of the wires
Data Source
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AI summary
A suture apparatus can include a surgical cable having a plurality of woven shape retaining wires. The surgical cable can have a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The suture apparatus can include a leader connected to the leading end portion of the surgical cable and can be configured to be advanced around bone portions. The woven shape-retaining wires of the cable can be configured to form a twist lock of the surgical cable by twisting of the surgical cable leading and trailing end portions together.