Knotless Arthroscopic Tissue Fixation via Friction Sleeve Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for attaching soft tissue to bone in surgical procedures are cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly due to the need for repeated knot-tying during arthroscopic procedures, which complicates the securement of multiple suture anchors.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a flexible sleeve and strand system that allows for knotless attachment by passing the sleeve through a fixation member in one direction and securing it by tensioning the strand, forming a slipknot that locks the sleeve into place without individual knots for each anchor, enabling efficient attachment of soft tissue to bone or other tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional knot-tying methods are used to secure suture anchors, then reliable attachment is achieved, but the surgical procedure becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the knot-tying step from the anchor securing process by using a friction-based locking mechanism where the suture frictionally engages with the anchor body, eliminating the need for separate knot-tying operations while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture is pre-configured with a friction-locking feature that automatically engages with the anchor upon insertion, performing the securing action preliminarily without requiring subsequent knot-tying steps during the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple suture anchors are secured individually with knots, then each anchor is reliably fixed, but the overall procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor fixationVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual securing operations into a single friction-based locking mechanism that simultaneously secures the suture to the anchor, reducing procedural steps and complexity while maintaining reliable fixation for each anchor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional knot-tying is used for soft tissue attachment, then secure connection is achieved, but the surgical efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue attachment securityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical knot-tying system with a friction-based locking mechanism where the suture naturally engages with the anchor through friction forces, eliminating the need for repeated manual knot-tying operations and significantly improving surgical efficiency while maintaining secure tissue attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240108328A1Method for tissue fixation

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 BIOMET SPORTS MEDICINE LLC

AI summary

A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.