Suture Anchor Frame Member Compression for Silicone Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suture anchors face risks of failure due to inconsistent force application when tying sutures around silicone or similar materials, leading to potential cutting through the material or improper securing of leads.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor design that includes a sheath with a frame member and suture loops, allowing tightening without direct contact with the sheath, which constricts to frictionally engage therapy delivery elements, reducing the risk of cutting and providing a pre-loaded suture for quicker engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture is tied in direct contact with the silicone material of the suture anchor, then the suture can be secured around the lead, but the suture may cut through the silicone material due to excessive force applied by the physician
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the suture is tied around a rigid frame member instead of directly on the silicone sheath. The frame member acts as a mediator that distributes the tying force evenly, preventing the suture from cutting through the silicone material while still securing the lead effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchor is segmented into distinct functional components: a silicone sheath for flexibility and biocompatibility, and a rigid frame member for structural support and force distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a suture is tied with insufficient force around the suture anchor, then the silicone material is not damaged, but the lead is improperly secured
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame member serves as an intermediary that provides a suitable surface for tying the suture. Its rigid structure allows the suture to be tied with sufficient force to securely anchor the lead, while the force is distributed across the frame member rather than concentrated on the silicone material.
3Device complexity
If the suture is not pre-loaded in the suture anchor, then the suture anchor structure is simpler, but the deployment time is increased due to the need to thread the suture first
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is pre-loaded and positioned within the suture anchor device before deployment. This preliminary action eliminates the need to thread the suture through the anchor during the surgical procedure, significantly reducing engagement time while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Loss of time
If the suture is pre-loaded in the suture anchor, then the deployment time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-loaded suture configuration uses a straightforward design where the suture is positioned within the anchor's lumen and exits through a designated opening. This preliminary positioning is achieved during manufacturing without requiring complex mechanisms, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing the time savings during deployment.
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 design decreases the likelihood of suture anchor failure by eliminating direct contact and allowing for quicker deployment by pre-loading the suture, enhancing the stability and efficiency of securing therapy delivery elements.
Implementation Method 1
tightening of the suture causes compression of the frame member to constrict the lumen of the sheath
Implementation Method 2
constricts the lumen of the sheath to frictionally engage the therapy delivery element
Data Source
AI summary
In various examples, a suture anchor includes a sheath including a lumen. A frame member is disposed at least partially within the sheath. The frame member includes at least two suture loops extending from the sheath. The suture loops are configured to receive a suture, wherein tightening of the suture causes compression of the frame member to constrict the lumen of the sheath.