Knotless Suture Anchor With Sliding Loop Tissue Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suture anchors require knot-tying, which is challenging arthroscopically and can cause post-operative pain, and existing knotless constructs are rigid and limit tissue positioning over bone holes.
Innovation Solution
A knotless instability anchor with a sliding construct and soft materials that allows for tissue tensioning and secure fixation without knots, using a woven material and suture strands to adjust and maintain tissue position during anchor installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding knot is tied to secure suture, then tissue tensioning control is improved, but the complexity of the procedure and risk of post-operative pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the suture anchor procedure by incorporating a pre-formed loop construct that secures the suture automatically upon insertion. The loop is formed by passing the suture through itself and anchoring it to the driver, removing the need for post-insertion knot-tying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop construct is prepared in advance during manufacturing, with the suture pre-formed into a loop that can be directly inserted and secured without requiring intraoperative knot-tying. This preliminary preparation of the loop structure eliminates the need for complex intraoperative knot-tying maneuvers.
2Reliability
If conventional suture anchors are used, then fixation is achieved, but tissue positioning precision over bone holes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamic loop construct that allows the suture to be tensioned and positioned dynamically during insertion. The loop can be adjusted and tensioned to precisely position the tissue over the bone hole before final fixation, enabling precise positioning while maintaining reliable fixation.
3Strength
If rigid materials are used in knotless constructs, then fixation strength is improved, but tissue irritation and damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible, soft materials for the loop construct and suture components that contact the tissue. These flexible materials provide sufficient fixation strength while being gentle on the tissue, minimizing irritation and damage compared to rigid materials. The soft materials conform to tissue surfaces and reduce mechanical trauma.
4Reliability
If driver remains engaged in pilot hole during tensioning, then anchor fixation is maintained, but tissue positioning over pilot hole is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fixation function from the positioning function. The driver remains engaged in the pilot hole to maintain anchor fixation, while the loop construct and suture system provides independent positioning capability. The loop can be tensioned and adjusted to position tissue over the pilot hole without requiring driver removal, achieving both fixation maintenance and positioning freedom through functional segmentation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A knotless instability anchor having an anchor having a first side and a second side with a suture material passing therethrough from the first side to the second side. The suture material has an adjustable loop extending from the first side of the anchor and a first limb and a second limb extending from the second side of the anchor. A splice is formed in the first limb between a first end of the first limb and the anchor. A self-collapsing loop is formed in the first limb between the first end and the splice. The second limb extends through the splice in the first limb.