Knotless Anchor Suture Tensioning Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical fixation techniques for soft tissue to bone require knot-tying or rely heavily on friction for suture tensioning, which can be cumbersome and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A knotless tissue fixation technique using a push-in type anchor and a suture chain with loops, where the anchor captures a loop of the suture chain, allowing for adjustable tensioning by reeling in the suture, providing a secure fixation without relying on friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional knot-tying methods are used to secure suture to bone, then the fixation can be achieved, but the surgical procedure becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-attached to the anchor during manufacturing, eliminating the need for surgical knot-tying. The suture is threaded through the anchor eyelet and secured in advance, so that during surgery only simple insertion and tensioning actions are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex knot-tying operation is extracted from the surgical procedure and transferred to the manufacturing process. The anchoring mechanism is designed to automatically secure the suture without requiring surgical dexterity for knot formation.
2Reliability
If friction-based fixation is used to secure suture to bone, then the suture can be held in place, but the fixation becomes unreliable and depends on surface conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor features a curved or spherical bearing surface that interfaces with the suture. This curved geometry provides a mechanical interlock that is more reliable than flat friction surfaces, as the curvature distributes loads more effectively and prevents suture slippage independent of bone surface conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the anchor body providing bone engagement, the eyelet for suture passage, and the bearing surface for suture tensioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
3Manufacturing precision
If adjustable tensioning is implemented in suture fixation, then the precision of tissue attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system transitions from a static fixation to a dynamic tensioning system. The suture can be adjusted during surgery by manipulating the free ends, allowing real-time optimization of tension. The bearing surface maintains this adjustable tension while providing a hard stop to prevent over-tensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture itself serves as the tensioning mechanism. By pulling on the free ends of the suture, the surgeon can adjust the tension on the tissue construct. The anchor's bearing surface automatically maintains this tension without requiring additional active components or complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. The method utilizes a push-in type anchor (for example, a self-punching anchor) and a suture chain that includes a loop or a plurality of loops. A first portion of the suture chain is secured to the tissue to be fixated. The suture chain is next secured to the push-in type anchor (for example, by passing the suture chain through an eyelet of the anchor). The anchor is then advanced along the suture chain to bring a tip of the anchor above a chosen loop or link of the suture chain. The tip of the anchor is pushed through the chosen loop so that the tip locks the chosen loop in place (for example, by capturing both sides of the link above a shoulder of the anchor). With the captured link, the anchor is advanced into a pilot hole or socket formed in the bone, and then the anchor is rotated within the hole or socket to reel in the suture chain and to tension, therefore, the suture chain.