Knotless Suture Anchor Deployment with Threaded Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suture anchors and their deployment devices face challenges in maintaining proper suture tension and require knot-tying, which can be difficult arthroscopically and may cause postoperative pain.
Innovation Solution
A cannulated implant deployment device with a handle assembly, cleat, and threaded interface allows for axial rotation to maintain suture tension without knots, using a cannulated implant with external threading and a suture threader for secure fixation to bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional suture anchors require knot-tying to secure sutures, then the suture can be anchored to bone, but the surgical procedure becomes complex and time-consuming with potential postoperative pain from knot irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the suture anchoring process. The suture is captured between two opposing surfaces of the anchor device and held in place by friction, completely removing the need for knots and their associated complications while simplifying the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor device performs the anchoring function automatically through its friction-based mechanism. The suture is captured and secured by the device's structural design without requiring manual knot-tying by the surgeon, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the harmful knot-tying action
2Reliability
If suture tension is adjusted manually during surgery, then the soft tissue can be approximated to bone, but maintaining proper tension throughout the procedure becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic tensioning mechanism that allows the suture tension to be adjusted and maintained throughout the procedure. The device incorporates a mechanism that can dynamically respond to tension requirements, enabling the surgeon to adjust and maintain proper suture tension without excessive time loss
3Device complexity
If friction-based suture capture is used without additional tensioning mechanisms, then the device structure is simple, but adjusting and maintaining proper suture tension becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the friction-based suture capture mechanism with an integrated tensioning system. The two functions are combined into a single cohesive device that maintains structural simplicity while providing easy suture tension adjustment through the integrated mechanism
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
Facilitates easy adjustment and maintenance of suture tension, ensuring secure fixation of soft tissue to bone without knots, reducing the risk of postoperative pain and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The driver shaft and the knob can include a threaded interface that converts rotation of the proximal handle to axial rotation and advancement of the implant into the bone tunnel
Implementation Method 2
the suture is captured between two opposing surfaces and held in place by friction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1F
AI summary
A deployment device, including a driver shaft; an implant attached to the distal end of the driver shaft; a handle assembly connected to the proximal end of the driver shaft including a handle and a knob positioned distally to the handle; a cleat configured to secure a proximal end of a suture received from the implant through an aperture of the driver shaft resulting in a first applied tension value when the implant is placed in a pilot hole, wherein each of the implant, proximal handle and cleat is connected to the driver shaft such that rotation of the proximal handle in a first direction results in the rotation of the implant in the first direction and the maintenance of at least 50% of the first applied tension value when the implant is rotated in the first direction and advanced in the distal direction within the pilot hole.