Knotless Suture Anchor Coaxial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors require knot tying for securing sutures to soft tissue, which is difficult in arthroscopic or endoscopic procedures, and rely heavily on bone quality for fixation, making them challenging to use effectively.
Innovation Solution
A knotless suture anchor assembly with an elongated cylindrical outer member and inner member that moves coaxially to lock the suture in place, providing a method to secure sutures to soft tissue without knots and independent of bone quality, using a locking mechanism and proximity indicators for optimal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional suture anchors are used, then suture can be secured to soft tissue, but knot tying is required which is difficult in arthroscopic or endoscopic procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the knot-tying step from the surgical procedure by designing an anchor system that secures suture through mechanical interference and friction between the anchor components and bone tunnel wall, eliminating the need for knot formation
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor system uses its own structural features (protrusions, grooves, friction surfaces) to automatically secure the suture without requiring external knot-tying actions, making the system self-securing
2Reliability
If traditional suture anchors are used, then suture fixation can be achieved, but the fixation reliability depends heavily on bone quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fixation mechanism from relying on bone compression (press-fit) to relying on friction and mechanical interference between anchor components, allowing reliable fixation independent of bone density and quality
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor system uses dynamic friction-based engagement between moving components and the bone tunnel wall, providing adaptable fixation that works across varying bone qualities rather than requiring optimal bone density
3Ease of operation
If friction-based suture anchoring is used, then knotless securing is achieved, but it is difficult to gauge relative positions of components for optimizing friction fit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates visual feedback indicators (colored bands, windows, or markers) that allow the surgeon to precisely gauge the relative positions of anchor components during insertion, enabling optimization of friction fit without complex measurement tools
Data Source
AI summary
A knotless suture anchor assembly for engaging a bone tunnel and holding suture therein to knotlessly secure said suture to soft tissue including an elongated generally cylindrical hollow outer member having an axial lumen, an outer surface with projections for engaging the wall of the bone tunnel, a distal end and a proximal end; and an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a transverse passage for receiving suture therethrough, the transverse passage having a proximal and distal end and adapted to receive a plurality of sutures in said eyelet, the inner member adapted to move coaxially relative to the outer member between a distal, suture-unlocked position and a proximal, suture-locked position.