Two-Piece Suture Anchor With Movable Inner Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft tissue fixation solutions require a multi-step process for connecting sutures to suture anchors, which can be time-consuming and challenging to maintain the desired tension, often necessitating repetition due to inadequate tension.
Innovation Solution
A device and system that facilitates the rapid connection of sutures to tissue fixation implants, allowing for minimal change in tension during deployment, featuring an anchoring device with a movable inner member and outer body configuration that maintains suture tension through interference fits and grooves, enabling precise and efficient suture anchoring to bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional multi-step process is used to connect suture to suture anchor, then the connection can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and challenging to maintain desired tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suture anchoring function and suture tensioning function into a single integrated device. The suture anchor includes both the anchor body for bone engagement and the tensioning mechanism for suture maintenance, eliminating the need for separate anchoring and tensioning steps that characterize traditional multi-step processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is pre-loaded into the tensioning mechanism before anchor deployment. The tensioning mechanism is pre-configured with the suture in a specific tensioned state, so that when the anchor is deployed, the suture tension is automatically maintained without requiring additional manual tensioning steps during the surgical procedure.
2Reliability
If traditional suture connection methods are used, then suture anchoring can be achieved, but adequate tension maintenance is difficult and may necessitate repetition of the entire process
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning mechanism incorporates movable components that can dynamically adjust and maintain suture tension. The mechanism includes movable elements that respond to forces applied during tissue repair, automatically maintaining optimal suture tension throughout the healing process rather than relying on static pre-tensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the suture and the anchor body. It provides a controlled interface that translates the mechanical properties of the suture into maintained tension, mediating the interaction between the suture and the bone anchor to ensure reliable tension maintenance.
3Productivity
If a single-step deployment process is implemented, then surgical time is reduced, but the ability to maintain precise suture tension becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning mechanism is designed with specific geometric parameters and material properties that determine the suture tension characteristics. By carefully selecting and optimizing these parameters during device design and manufacturing, the mechanism can maintain precise suture tension automatically, eliminating the need for manual precision adjustments during the single-step surgical 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
The solution reduces the complexity and time required for soft tissue repair by maintaining desired suture tension during anchor deployment, enhancing the reproducibility and efficiency of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The inner member is configured with an eyelet to receive and pass a suture through the inner member, at least one of the outer body or the inner member having a first groove extending generally longitudinally along at least a portion thereof, the first groove configured to receive the suture therein
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses for soft tissue repair including a device for anchoring sutured tissue to a bone are disclosed. According to one example, the device can include an outer body and an inner member. The outer body can comprise a shell with an outer surface configured to engage the bone of a patient and an inner passage extending longitudinally from a proximal end portion toward a distal end portion. The inner member can be configured to be disposed within the outer body and can be moveable along the inner passage relative to the outer body between a first position and a second position. The inner member can be configured with an eyelet to receive and pass a suture through the member and at least one of the outer body and the inner member can have a first groove extending generally longitudinally along at least a portion thereof. The first groove can be configured to receive the suture therein.