Knotless Self-Locking Anchor Construct for Soft Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for soft tissue repair often require knot-tying, which can be cumbersome and lack precise tensioning and adjustment capabilities, especially when fixing soft tissues like ligaments and tendons to bone.
Innovation Solution
The development of knotless self-locking anchor constructs using a fixation device with a flexible coupler and a shuttle/pull device, forming an accordion-style weave region to create a tensionable, self-locking mechanism that allows for adjustable tension and precise placement of soft tissues without the need for knots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knot-tying methods are used for soft tissue fixation, then the tissue can be secured to bone, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and lacks precise tensioning control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the traditional fixation procedure. The flexible coupler is designed with a self-locking mechanism that secures tissue to bone without requiring external knot manipulation, thereby simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible coupler incorporates a self-locking mechanism that automatically secures the tissue without requiring the surgeon to tie knots. The coupler serves both as the fixation element and the locking mechanism, enabling the system to secure itself during the procedure.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional knot-tying methods are used, then tissue can be fixed, but precise tensioning and adjustment capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupler is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be tensioned and adjusted to the precise degree required for each specific repair. The coupler can be incrementally tightened and locked at the optimal tension point, providing precise control over the fixation tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for adjustment of the tension parameter in the flexible coupler during the procedure. The coupler can be tensioned to different degrees and locked at the desired parameter setting, enabling precise control over the fixation strength and tissue approximation.
3Reliability
If knots are used for tissue fixation, then the tissue can be secured, but the procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the knot element from the fixation construct. The flexible coupler with its self-locking mechanism replaces the traditional knot, thereby reducing the complexity of the surgical construct while maintaining reliable tissue approximation to bone.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible coupler and an optional shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand. An accordion-style weave region is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone and secured self-locking of the construct.