Knotless Suture Anchor Plug for Fast Re-Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors require knotting, which increases surgical time and introduces weak points for suture breakage, and surgical cannulas lack multi-chambered designs to prevent cross-contamination and inadvertent removal during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor with a plug that secures sutures via a friction or screw-like fit, allowing for adjustable tensioning without knots, and a cannula with inflatable donuts to maintain position and separate surgical instruments in distinct chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suture anchors use traditional knotting methods to secure sutures, then the suture can be anchored to bone, but surgical time increases and weak points for suture breakage are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knotting step entirely from the suture anchoring process. Instead of threading suture through holes and tying knots, the system uses a plug that inserts into the anchor body to mechanically secure the suture through friction and engagement with the anchor's internal structure, eliminating the time-consuming knotting operation while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual knot-tying mechanical system with an automated plug-insertion mechanism. The plug, when inserted into the anchor, creates a friction fit and mechanical engagement that secures the suture without requiring surgical manipulation of knots, thereby reducing surgical time and eliminating knot-related weak points
2Reliability
If suture anchors use traditional knotting methods to secure sutures, then the suture can be anchored to bone, but knotting weakness is introduced to the suture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic knotting element from the suture anchoring system. By removing the need for knots entirely and using a plug-based mechanical engagement system, the suture maintains its full strength without the stress concentrations and potential failure points introduced by knotting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of suture securing from knot-based mechanical interlocking to plug-based friction and geometric engagement. This parameter change eliminates the creation of weak points in the suture while achieving the same anchoring function through a different mechanical principle that preserves suture integrity
3Ease of operation
If surgical cannulas use single chamber design to allow instrument passage, then instruments can be passed through the cannula, but cross-contamination and inadvertent removal occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single cannula chamber into multiple separate chambers. Each chamber can independently contain and guide specific instruments or suture anchors, preventing cross-contamination between instruments while the segmented structure provides multiple engagement points with bone to prevent inadvertent removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional instrument passage to a multi-dimensional chambered structure. The additional spatial dimension created by multiple chambers allows for separate instrument pathways and enhanced anchoring surfaces, simultaneously enabling instrument passage while preventing contamination and removal through increased geometric complexity
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 suture anchor enables fast, knotless suture tensioning and re-tensioning, while the cannula prevents cross-contamination and secure placement during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
The outer wall of the plug comprises threads capable of engaging the inner surface of the anchor via a friction fit
Implementation Method 2
the plug is made of a compressible material
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument having an anchor and a plug is capable of anchoring a suture. The suture anchor has an anchor body having a top surface, a bottom surface distal to the top surface, a transverse bore and a well, the well having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner bottom surface. The plug has a post, a head, and a bottom face. The anchor body and the anchor plus form a suture anchor. The suture anchor may be used during surgical procedures and can be used in the re-tensioning of a suture.