Sequential Soft Anchor Deployment for Tangled-Free Tissue Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue repair devices require complex surgical procedures due to the need for deploying multiple suture anchors, which are often expensive and prone to tangling, and do not efficiently utilize deformable anchors to minimize joint damage.
Innovation Solution
A tissue repair device capable of deploying multiple soft anchors sequentially, with integrated spools and locking mechanisms to manage sutures, allowing pre-loading of anchors and sutures, and using deformable materials to reduce joint damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple single-anchor deployment inserters are utilized, then each insole can deploy only a single suture anchor, but the cost increases and material waste occurs due to disposal after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The inserter device is designed to deploy multiple suture anchors sequentially through a single device. The device includes a body with multiple chambers that can each receive and deploy a suture anchor, allowing one inserter to perform the function of multiple single-use inserters while reducing cost and material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserter device contains multiple chambers nested within a single body structure. Each chamber can independently hold and deploy a suture anchor, creating a nested configuration where multiple functional units are integrated into one device, eliminating the need for multiple separate inserters.
2Productivity
If multiple suture anchors are deployed using traditional methods, then the surgical procedure becomes complex and time-consuming, but suture tangling occurs during loading and deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The inserter device divides the suture management function into separate spools, with each spool dedicated to a specific suture anchor. This segmentation prevents suture tangling by keeping each suture organized on its own spool, while the sequential deployment mechanism maintains surgical efficiency by allowing anchors to be deployed in an organized manner.
Solution Approach 2:
Spools act as intermediary components between the suture anchors and the deployment mechanism. Each spool winds and controls its associated suture, serving as a mediator that prevents tangling while enabling smooth deployment. The spools rotate as sutures are paid out, providing mechanical control over suture management.
3Strength
If hard anchors are used for tissue repair, then secure anchoring is achieved, but joint damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the anchor from hard to soft/deformable material. The soft anchor can deform during insertion and deployment, allowing it to be inserted through smaller incisions and causing less trauma to surrounding joint tissues while maintaining adequate anchoring strength through its deformable nature.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a tissue repair device that can include any one or combination of features including an end effector and an actuator. A deformable first anchor and a deformable second anchor can be captured by the end effector. The actuator can selectively engage the first anchor and the second anchor in a series. The actuator can deploy the first anchor from the end effector into tissue and then can be selectively moveable to engage and deploy the second anchor from the end effector into the tissue.