Knotless All-Suture Anchor Locking Multiple Repair Sutures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic anchoring devices, particularly those using rigid materials, pose risks of migration into joints, weaken bone, and cause patient discomfort due to external knots, while all-suture anchors are limited in use with multiple sutures and require manual deployment.
Innovation Solution
A knotless all-suture anchor construct with a tension suture forming eyelets that secure repair sutures within the anchor, allowing for greater locking force and fewer deployment steps, using a specialized delivery system to tension the sutures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid anchors are used to attach soft tissue to bone, then anchoring strength is improved, but the risk of device migration into joints and bone weakening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a soft anchor constructed from flexible suture material that can be compressed into a low-profile configuration for insertion through a delivery system, then expands within the bone hole to provide anchoring. This flexible construction eliminates the risks associated with rigid materials while maintaining anchoring capability through controlled expansion and friction engagement with bone walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft anchor exhibits dynamic behavior by transitioning from a compressed, low-profile state during insertion to an expanded, anchoring state within the bone hole. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to serve both as an insertable device and an anchoring element, adapting its form to meet different functional requirements at different stages of the procedure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If all-suture anchors are used to eliminate rigid materials, then device migration risk is reduced, but the number of procedural steps for deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single all-suture construct: the suture material serves both as the anchor body and as the deployment mechanism. The braided suture configuration allows the anchor to be deployed by simple tensioning of the suture ends, combining the anchoring function and deployment mechanism into one integrated structure rather than requiring separate components and steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft anchor is designed to be self-deploying through the tensioning of its own suture material. When the free ends of the suture are pulled, the anchor automatically expands and secures itself within the bone hole without requiring manual manipulation or additional deployment steps by the surgeon.
3Device complexity
If manual deployment of all-suture anchors is required, then device simplicity is maintained, but the locking force and tensioning capability are limited by surgeon skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delivery system as an intermediary device that applies controlled tension to the suture material during anchor deployment. This intermediary mechanism enables the application of higher, more consistent forces than can be reliably generated by manual hand tensioning alone, while the anchor itself remains a simple all-suture construct.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system pre-applies tension to the suture material before the anchor is fully deployed, ensuring optimal locking force is achieved from the outset. This preliminary action allows the anchor to be positioned and secured with appropriate tension without requiring subsequent adjustment or additional manual manipulation by the surgeon.
4Reliability
If external knots are used to secure sutures, then anchoring reliability is improved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot from the external environment and relocates it inside the bone hole within the soft anchor construct. By incorporating the securing mechanism internally within the anchor body, the design eliminates the need for external knots that cause patient discomfort, while maintaining secure suture attachment through internal friction and constrictive mechanisms.
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
The system provides enhanced locking force and reduces procedural complexity, minimizing the risk of device migration and bone weakening, while ensuring secure fixation of soft tissue to bone without external knots.
Implementation Method 1
friction between the opposing braid fibers provides resistance to motion
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue repair systems which use knotless all-suture anchors and have the ability to lock multiple repair sutures within the anchor construct. The anchor construct includes a tension suture wrapped or looped upon itself to create an open eyelet, through which multiple repair sutures originating in soft tissue are passed. The location of the eyelet may be anywhere inside the all-suture anchor or adjacent to the exterior of the anchor body. Tensioning of the tension suture causes the eyelet to restrict movement of the repair sutures and secures them within or against the anchor body.