Knotted Suture End Effector Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical sutures often require tedious and time-consuming knot-tying to anchor the suture within tissue, and the formed knots may not be reliable, leading to slippage or inadequate engagement with the tissue.
Innovation Solution
A suture with a knotted end effector is developed, where the end effector is integrally formed from the suture body, featuring first and second extensions with multiple throws forming a T-shape, created through a method involving looping, wrapping, and tightening of the suture ends to secure the knot on the distal end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a knot is tied in the suture to anchor it within tissue, then the suture can be secured, but the knot may slip or be too small to engage the tissue reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is segmented into multiple throws (first throw, second throw, third throw) that are formed sequentially along the suture body. Each throw contributes to the overall anchoring structure, distributing the securing function across multiple segments rather than relying on a single knot, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of formation
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector extends laterally from the longitudinal axis of the suture body in multiple directions (first extension, second extension, third extension). This dimensional expansion creates a broader engagement surface with tissue, preventing slippage by distributing anchoring forces across multiple spatial dimensions rather than concentrating them at a single point
2Reliability
If a knot is tied manually to anchor the suture, then the suture can be secured, but the process is tedious and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is pre-formed as an integral part of the suture body during manufacturing, rather than requiring manual knot-tying during the surgical procedure. The sequential throws and extensions are already configured in the correct anatomical arrangement, eliminating the time-consuming manual knot-tying process while ensuring reliable anchoring security
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is designed to be self-anchoring through its pre-formed end effector structure. The sequential throws automatically engage with tissue upon insertion, requiring no additional manual manipulation or knot-tying steps. The structure serves its own anchoring function, improving productivity by eliminating redundant manual operations
3Reliability
If an end effector is formed independently and attached to the suture, then anchoring capability is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is merged with the suture body to form a single integrated structure. The sequential throws are formed directly from the suture material itself, eliminating the need for separate end effector components and their associated attachment mechanisms. This merging maintains anchoring capability while reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The suture material serves multiple functions: it provides the structural body of the suture, forms the sequential throws of the end effector, and creates the extensions for tissue engagement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable anchoring capability
Data Source
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AI summary
A suture comprising: a body portion defining a longitudinal axis; an end effector integrally formed from the body portion, the end effector including first and second extensions extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis in opposite directions, wherein each of the first and second extensions include at least one throw.