Non-rotating Tensioning Device for Anchor Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current knotless suture anchor systems face challenges in maintaining graft position and preventing suture spin during anchor placement, leading to changes in suture tension and graft position, which complicates the surgical procedure and increases the risk of errors.
Innovation Solution
A non-rotating cannulated tensioning device is used within a cannulated driver to tension sutures, allowing the anchor to be placed without rotating, thereby maintaining suture tension and graft position through a simple, single-piece anchor system that can be easily scaled and modified.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional anchor placement system is used, then the anchor can be placed in the bone, but the suture may spin and the graft position may change during placement
Solution Approach 1:
The placement system is divided into two separate components: a driver for advancing the anchor and a tensioning device for applying tension to the suture. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing suture spin while maintaining graft position stability without requiring a complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-rotating tensioning device is introduced as an intermediary component between the driver and the suture. This tensioning device acts as a mediator that maintains constant tension on the suture during anchor placement while preventing rotation, thereby stabilizing graft position without adding significant complexity to the overall system.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple steps are used to maintain suture tension and prevent suture spin, then graft position accuracy is improved, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The driver and tensioning device are designed to work together in a coordinated manner, merging the functions of anchor advancement and suture tensioning into a unified placement sequence. This integration allows the surgeon to achieve precise graft positioning through a streamlined procedure that reduces the number of discrete steps and minimizes surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning device is pre-configured to apply constant tension to the suture before anchor placement begins. This preliminary action ensures that the suture remains under appropriate tension throughout the placement process, maintaining graft position accuracy without requiring additional tensioning steps during the procedure.
3Ease of operation
If a simple single-piece anchor system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain constant suture tension may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to maintain constant tension on the suture and to prevent rotation during anchor placement. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple critical functions, ensuring suture tension consistency while keeping the overall system simple and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. Particularly preferred embodiments allow for the one-handed operation. To that end, embodiments in which relative axial movement between the inner tensioning device and outer driver device is optionally physically constrained, for example by means of cooperating and/or compressive elements disposed in the respective hub and handle portions, are described herein.