Knotless Suture Anchor System for Direct Labrum Reattachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally-invasive procedures for treating hip joint pathologies, particularly labrum re-attachment, are hindered by the constrained geometry and limited access of the hip joint, leading to complications such as indirect draw forces and the need for large suture anchors that cause unnecessary trauma and time-consuming knot-tying.
Innovation Solution
A novel knotless suture anchor system with a loop of suture passed through the labrum, secured using a knotless suture anchor that locks onto the acetabulum, eliminating the need for knots and allowing for direct attachment and reduced trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture anchors with knots are used for labrum re-attachment, then secure attachment can be achieved, but surgical time increases and tissue trauma is unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the knot-tying step from the traditional suture anchor procedure. The suture is pre-configured in a loop that passes through the labrum, and the anchor device is designed to lock onto this loop without requiring any knot manipulation, thereby eliminating the time-consuming knot-tying process while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is pre-configured in a specific loop configuration before insertion, and the anchor device is pre-loaded with the suture. This preliminary preparation allows the entire attachment process to be completed in a single motion without requiring intraoperative knot manipulation, significantly reducing surgical time while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If traditional suture anchors with knots are used for labrum re-attachment, then secure attachment can be achieved, but tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the knot-tying process entirely, eliminating the need to manipulate and tie knots within the constrained hip joint space. This extraction of the knot-tying step reduces unnecessary tissue manipulation and trauma to the labrum and surrounding structures while maintaining secure attachment through the pre-configured loop and locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If large suture anchors are used for hip joint procedures, then attachment security is improved, but unnecessary tissue trauma occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor device is designed with a dynamic locking mechanism that allows it to be inserted in a compact state and then locked onto the pre-configured suture loop within the bone tunnel. This dynamic design enables secure attachment without requiring an excessively large anchor, thereby reducing tissue trauma while maintaining attachment security.
4Productivity
If the constrained geometry of the hip joint is accessed through minimally-invasive procedures, then patient recovery is improved, but indirect draw forces are created
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-configured in a loop that passes through the labrum in a specific orientation before anchor insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the anchor is locked onto the loop, the resulting draw force is directed optimally along the intended vector, eliminating indirect forces despite the minimally-invasive approach and constrained hip joint geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for securing a suture to a bone includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the body is configured to receive a suture; an elongated element extending through the lumen of the body, the elongated element comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a locking element connected to the distal end of the elongated element and movably disposed in the lumen of the body, such that proximal movement of the elongated element moves the locking element proximally to (i) create an interference fit between an outer surface of the locking element, a suture disposed within the lumen of the body, and an inner wall of the body, and (ii) expand a circumference of the body, whereby to secure the suture to the bone.