Anchor Spine Orientation for Tissue Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intracorporeal suturing during surgery is challenging due to the difficulty in manipulating suturing instruments within small incisions and the inability to visualize the suture site, making it hard for surgeons to accurately place and tie sutures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising an anchor with a pointed leading end and a spine that engages with tissue, along with an introducer cannula that secures the anchor in place, allowing for precise placement and fixation of sutures within the tissue without rotation, enabling secure attachment of support materials to the periosteum tissue through a single incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional suturing instruments are used through small incisions, then the incision size is minimized, but the surgeon cannot visualize the suture site and manipulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor serves as an intermediary device that is first placed through the small incision into the tissue, providing a secure attachment point. The suture is then tied to the anchor externally, allowing the surgeon to manipulate the suture outside the body where visualization is possible, while the anchor remains embedded in the tissue at the previously inaccessible suture site
Solution Approach 2:
The suturing process is divided into separate steps: (1) placing the anchor through the incision into the tissue using a delivery device, (2) exiting the delivery device and tying the suture to the anchor externally, and (3) delivering the support material along the suture. This segmentation allows each step to be performed optimally - anchor placement through minimal incision, and suture tying where visualization is possible
2Manufacturing precision
If the anchor is delivered through the cannula, then precise placement is achieved, but the anchor may rotate during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor features an asymmetric design with a single spine projecting from the body. The spine has specific dimensional characteristics (width and height) that do not match symmetrically, creating a unique orientation. When the spine engages with the slot in the cannula wall, this asymmetric geometry prevents rotation by ensuring only one orientation allows proper engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The slot in the cannula wall acts as an intermediary constraint between the anchor and the delivery system. The slot's dimensions are specifically designed to receive the spine, providing guidance and preventing rotation during the delivery process while still allowing the anchor to be pushed through the tissue effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A method of anchoring a support material to tissue includes forming an incision in a urogenital triangle of a patient for access to a pelvis of the patient; inserting a body portion of an anchor into a lumen in a cannula and having a spine portion of the anchor extending radially out of a wall of the cannula; and inserting a leading end of the cannula and the anchor into the incision. The method includes pushing the leading end of the cannula into periosteum tissue of the pelvis; engaging the spine portion of the anchor with the periosteum tissue; withdrawing the leading end of the cannula from the incision and leaving the anchor engaged in the periosteum tissue; and securing the support material to a suture that is attached to the anchor. The method includes delivering the support material through the incision to the pelvis.