Knotless Suture Anchor With Deformable Tip For Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchor systems face challenges in securing sutures to anchors without sliding knots, particularly in arthroscopic surgeries where knot tying is difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor assembly comprising a separate anchor tip with an eyelet and cavity, and an inserter with a tubular outer shaft and inner shaft, where the inner shaft is mechanically engaged with the anchor tip to position it distally and then retracted to deform the anchor tip and secure it to the anchor body, eliminating the need for sliding knots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sliding knots are used to secure suture to anchor, then suture fixation is achieved, but the procedure becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the suture fixation process. Instead of using sliding knots to secure the suture, the system uses a pre-configured anchor tip with an eyelet that mechanically receives and holds the suture, removing the time-consuming knot manipulation while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor tip acts as an intermediary component between the suture and the anchor body. The tip includes a cavity that mechanically engages with the suture and provides a break-away connection to the inner shaft, serving as a mediator that enables secure suture attachment without requiring knot tying.
2Ease of operation
If the anchor tip is separate from the anchor body, then delivery and insertion are facilitated, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is segmented into three distinct components: an anchor body, a separate anchor tip, and an inner shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the body for anchoring, the tip for suture engagement, and the shaft for delivery - while simplifying the overall delivery process through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate anchor tip is nested within the delivery system during insertion, with the tip positioned within the inner shaft which is itself within the outer shaft. This nested configuration allows for compact delivery through the needle and streamlined insertion into the bone, with components deploying in sequence after insertion.
3Measurement precision
If the inner shaft is mechanically engaged with the anchor tip, then precise positioning is achieved, but the engagement mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inner shaft is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically interface with the anchor tip cavity during insertion. The mechanical engagement is established preliminarily as the components are assembled onto the delivery system, ensuring precise positioning is achieved automatically without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical engagement between the inner shaft and anchor tip is designed to be self-aligning and self-positioning. The cavity in the anchor tip and corresponding features on the inner shaft work together to automatically establish the correct relative positioning and orientation, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex control 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
Facilitates secure suture fixation without knots, enhancing surgical efficiency and precision, especially in arthroscopic procedures by providing mechanical durability and tactile guidance for anchor placement.
Implementation Method 1
The proximal end of the anchor tip is deformable to accommodate receipt of at least a portion of the distal end of the anchor body within the cavity upon being urged proximally against the distal end of the anchor body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A suture anchor assembly includes a suture anchor and a suture anchor inserter. The anchor includes a flexible distal tip and a rigid proximal anchor body. The distal tip includes a transverse suture eyelet and a cavity formed in a proximal end of the tip. The anchor body includes a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of the body. The anchor inserter includes a tubular outer shaft and an inner inserter slidably received therein. The anchor assembly is actuatable to move the anchor tip and inner shaft proximally while the outer shaft and anchor body remain in place, urging the proximal end of the anchor tip against the distal end of the anchor body. The proximal end of the tip is deformable to accommodate at least a portion of the distal end of the anchor body within the anchor tip cavity.