Suture Anchor With Exchange Fitting Reduces Pullout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical anchor repairs for attaching soft tissue to bone are prone to biomechanical failures such as suture cutting, breakage, knot slippage, and anchor pullout, which necessitate a more reliable method for securing soft tissue to bone.
Innovation Solution
A tissue anchor device with a flexible elongated element and a suture exchange fitting that allows for secure attachment and exchange of sutures, reducing pull-through forces and enhancing anchor stability by maintaining an open aperture for suture exchange and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture anchors are used for attaching soft tissue to bone, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but biomechanical failures occur such as suture cutting through bone tunnels, suture breakage, knot slippage, and anchor pullout
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor device is divided into multiple functional segments: a separate suture exchange fitting distinct from the anchor body, modular components that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A suture exchange fitting serves as an intermediary component between the suture and the anchor body. This intermediary structure facilitates secure suture attachment and exchange while distributing mechanical loads, thereby preventing direct stress concentrations that lead to suture breakage and anchor pullout.
2Ease of repair
If sutures are exchanged through the anchor device, then repair can be performed, but friction during suture exchange increases pull-through forces
Solution Approach 1:
The suture exchange fitting acts as a specialized intermediary mechanism that provides a low-friction pathway for suture passage. This dedicated exchange structure reduces frictional forces during suture manipulation compared to forcing sutures through the anchor body directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture exchange fitting is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow smooth suture movement during exchange procedures. The fitting can accommodate suture tension and movement while maintaining secure attachment, reducing peak pull-through forces through controlled mechanical interaction.
3Ease of operation
If the aperture is kept open for suture exchange, then suture access is improved, but structural stability of the anchor may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system is segmented into the anchor body and a separate suture exchange fitting. This separation allows the aperture in the exchange fitting to remain open for suture access while the anchor body maintains its structural integrity for anchoring stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture exchange fitting serves as an intermediary structure that provides the open aperture for suture access without compromising the anchor body's structural stability. The fitting is designed to maintain structural integrity while accommodating the open aperture configuration needed for suture exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture anchoring device for fixing a soft tissue to a bone tissue is disclosed that enables the exchange of sutures between anchors after implantation. The suture anchoring device may include a body that is inserted into the bone tissue, a suture exchange fitting situation within a passage formed within the body, and one or more pre-loaded sutures looped through the suture exchange fitting and projecting proximally from a proximal opening formed in the body. Surgical kits and surgical methods for performing various repair procedures using one or more suture anchoring device are also disclosed.