Knotless Suture Anchor Structure for Fast Tissue-to-Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical methods require knot-tying for tissue fixation, which can be time-consuming and may compromise the integrity of the repair due to the 'cheese wire' effect, especially in soft tissue-to-bone fixations.
Innovation Solution
A tensionable, knotless, self-locking surgical construct made entirely of suture, allowing fixation without a separate anchoring body, utilizing a flexible coupler and shuttle/pull devices to create adjustable, closed loops for secure tissue attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If knot-tying is used for tissue fixation, then secure attachment is achieved, but time is consumed and tissue integrity is compromised due to the 'cheese wire' effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot-tying step entirely from the fixation process by using a pre-formed loop suture configuration that locks automatically upon deployment, eliminating the time-consuming knot-tying operation while maintaining secure tissue attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is pre-configured with a loop structure before implantation, so that the locking mechanism is already in place and only requires deployment into the bone tunnel, rather than requiring knot-tying operations during the surgical procedure
2Reliability
If knot-tying is used for tissue fixation, then secure attachment is achieved, but tissue integrity is compromised due to the 'cheese wire' effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the knot structure entirely from the fixation system, replacing it with a loop-based locking mechanism that distributes stress along the suture length rather than concentrating it at a knot, thereby preventing the cheese wire effect on soft tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameter of the fixation mechanism from a localized knot to an extended loop configuration, which distributes the clamping force over a larger area of tissue, reducing the pressure intensity that causes cut-through
3Reliability
If a separate anchoring body is used for fixation, then bone fixation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the anchoring body and the suture into a single integrated construct, where the suture itself forms the anchor through its loop configuration and deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate anchoring components
Solution Approach 2:
The suture material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the anchoring mechanism through its loop structure, provides the tensile strength for tissue attachment, and provides the locking mechanism through its self-contained deployment design
4Manufacturing precision
If adjustable tensioning is enabled, then precise fixation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The loop suture construct is designed to be self-tensioning through its geometric configuration, where the loop naturally adjusts and locks at the optimal tension point without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or additional components
Data Source
AI summary
Tensionable, knotless, self-locking surgical constructs and methods for surgical repairs are disclosed. A soft suture anchor and a flexible strand (flexible coupler) are provided integrally, as a one-piece machine taper construct. The repair system can include one or more shuttle/pull devices. The suture comes out of the cannulated sheath and braids to a smaller diameter round suture which is then passed back through the sheath. The braided suture may be furcated or branched to provide a plurality of passing sutures.