Melted Suture End Flange for Knot-Free Anchor Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for engaging sutures and anchors in medical procedures often result in loose or frayed connections, which can compromise the integrity and security of tissue anchoring, especially under force or over time, and may occupy unnecessary space or present difficulties during deployment.

Innovation Solution

The use of melt-deformed suture ends with integral polymeric masses or melted end flanges to securely engage sutures with anchors without knots, combined with optional adhesive for enhanced stability, allowing for secure anchoring without occupying excessive space and enabling deployment through small needles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional knot-tying methods are used to engage suture and anchor, then the connection can be secured, but the arrangement may fray, loosen, come untied, unravel or lose strength and integrity over time or upon application of force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection integrityVSAvoidconnection durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical knot-tying system with a thermal bonding system. The suture material is heated to melt and form an integral polymeric mass that engages with the anchor, eliminating the need for knots. This thermal-mechanical hybrid approach creates a more reliable and durable connection that resists fraying, loosening, and unraveling compared to traditional purely mechanical knot systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the suture material from solid to molten and back to solid through controlled heating. By heating the distal end of the suture to melt the polymeric material, then allowing it to cool and solidify into an integral mass, the connection properties are fundamentally improved for long-term durability and resistance to degradation under force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If knot-tying methods are used to engage suture and anchor, then the connection can be secured, but the tied arrangements occupy space about the anchor and present knotted surface structures making deployment and placement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoiddeployment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the bulky mechanical knot structure with a compact thermal-bonded polymeric mass, the patent eliminates the space-occupying knotted surface structures. This substitution maintains connection security while dramatically improving ease of deployment and placement, as the streamlined configuration does not present the operational difficulties associated with traditional knots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase change of the suture material through heating and cooling creates a compact, streamlined engagement structure that occupies minimal space. The molten-to-solid transition allows the suture to form a tight, space-efficient bond with the anchor, eliminating the voluminous knotted structures that complicate deployment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a low profile melted end flange is used on the suture, then the engaged anchor and suture can advance through the central lumen of a delivery needle, but the flange must be sufficiently small to pass through the needle lumen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment easeVSAvoidengagement strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes controlled thermal processing to create a melted end flange with optimized geometry. By carefully controlling the heating parameters, the suture material melts to form a flange that is small enough to pass through the delivery needle lumen yet large and structurally sound enough to provide sufficient engagement strength with the anchor, thus balancing deployability with connection strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method provides a secure, knot-free engagement of sutures and anchors that maintains integrity under force and facilitates easy deployment, ensuring reliable tissue anchoring in medical procedures while maintaining a low profile for ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

the distal end of the suture may be heated causing the suture to melt at its distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

adhesive may optionally be used to assist in the engagement between a suture and an anchor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9833228B2Suture and anchor engagement methods and resulting devices

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Described are methods and systems for engaging sutures and anchors and the resulting suture and anchor sets. In certain aspects, an end of the suture may be heated to create a melted mass of suture material. The melted mass may act as a shoulder to resist backing out of a hole in the anchor through which the suture is threaded, thereby engaging the suture and the anchor. Adhesive material may optionally be used to enhance the engagement between the suture and anchor.