Knotless Filament Anchor Loop Mechanism for Stable Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 'knotless' tissue anchors used in surgical procedures for shoulder injuries and other tissue repairs often include pre-tied knots that can loosen over time, compromising the stability of the repair, as they still require knots for securing the suture, which can lead to loosening of the tissue attachment to the bone.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for securing tissue to bone using a knotless approach, where a filament with a loop is passed through the tissue and an anchor is inserted through the loop, allowing the anchor to be secured in the bone without the need for tying knots, utilizing a drill with a stepped boring structure to create a bone hole and a cannulated guide for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-tied knots are used in 'knotless' tissue anchors, then the surgical procedure is simplified, but the repair stability deteriorates over time due to knot tightening and loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot element entirely from the suture system. The filament is designed without knots, and the anchor mechanism secures the filament through a loop configuration that eliminates the need for knot tying, thereby preventing the reliability issues associated with knot tightening and loosening while maintaining surgical simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a knot to secure the suture to the anchor, the patent inverts the approach by using a loop configuration where the filament passes through the anchor and is secured by the anchor's internal mechanism rather than by a knot. This reversal eliminates the harmful tightening effect while maintaining secure attachment
2Strength
If knots are included in the suture, then the filament can be secured to the anchor, but the tissue attachment may loosen over time as the knot tightens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot from the system entirely. The filament is secured to the anchor through a loop configuration that passes through the anchor's internal mechanism, eliminating the knot element that causes tightening and subsequent loosening of the tissue attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The filament is pre-configured with a loop at one end, which is then engaged by the anchor's internal mechanism during insertion. This preliminary loop configuration allows the anchor to secure the filament without requiring a knot, thereby maintaining both strength and long-term stability
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional suture anchor with knot is used, then the tissue can be reattached to bone, but additional instruments such as knot pushers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for knot-tying instruments by eliminating the knot itself. The filament's loop configuration is secured directly by the anchor's internal mechanism, eliminating the need for knot pushers and other auxiliary instruments used in traditional knot-tying procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the fixation device and as the mechanism for securing the filament. The internal mechanism of the anchor directly engages the loop configuration, combining the functions of anchor insertion and suture securing into a single device without requiring additional specialized instruments
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing tissue to bone, including drilling a bone hole into the bone; passing a filament through the tissue, the filament including a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, the second end having a loop; passing the first end of the filament through the loop of the filament; pulling on the first end of the filament such that the loop travels along the length of the filament and to the tissue; passing an anchor along the length of the filament, from the first end towards the loop and tissue; engaging the loop with a distal end of the anchor; positioning the distal end of the anchor, with the loop of the filament, into the bone hole; and securing the anchor in the bone.