Knotless Bone Anchor Sleeve Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching soft tissue to bone in surgical procedures are cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly due to the need for repeated knot-tying with suture anchors during arthroscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method using flexible sleeves and strands that pass through apertures of bone anchors, where the sleeves deform to secure the strand without tying, forming a single knot outside all sleeves to attach soft tissue to multiple anchors efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knot-tying methods are used to attach soft tissue to bone anchors, then secure attachment is achieved, but procedural time increases and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the knot-tying operation from the attachment process by using a separate cutting element that detaches the strand end from the sleeve after the strand has been pulled through. This allows the attachment to be secured without requiring the surgeon to perform complex knot-tying maneuvers through the arthroscope, thereby reducing procedural time while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the strand and the bone anchor. The strand is pulled through the sleeve which is already positioned on the anchor, and the sleeve's internal geometry (such as barbs or friction surfaces) provides the securing mechanism without requiring knots. This intermediary structure simplifies the operation while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If traditional knot-tying methods are used to attach soft tissue to bone anchors, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed to secure the strand automatically through its internal geometry (barbs, friction surfaces, or deformation characteristics) as the strand is pulled through. The system serves itself by using the pulling action to both position and secure the attachment, eliminating the need for separate knot-tying operations and making the procedure easier to perform.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical system of knot-tying with a simpler mechanical interaction between the strand and sleeve. The sleeve's internal features (such as barbs or friction surfaces) provide the securing mechanism through direct mechanical interaction during the pulling motion, eliminating the need for complex knot manipulation through the arthroscope.
3Reliability
If multiple knots are tied for each anchor during arthroscopic procedures, then secure attachment to multiple anchors is achieved, but the number of operations and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the attachment operations for multiple anchors into a single continuous motion. The strand with multiple sleeves is pulled through all anchors in sequence, and a single cutting action at the end secures all attachments simultaneously. This combines multiple separate knot-tying operations into one unified process, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining secure attachment to each anchor.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeves are pre-positioned on the strand before the pulling operation begins. This preliminary arrangement allows all sleeves to be simultaneously engaged with their respective anchors during a single pulling motion, eliminating the need for sequential knot-tying operations and significantly increasing attachment efficiency.
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
This method allows for secure, knotless attachment of soft tissue to bone, reducing procedural time and increasing the pulling force resistance compared to traditional knot-tying methods, facilitating efficient tissue repair in various orthopedic and surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
moving the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member
Implementation Method 2
tensioning the strand
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.