Suture Anchoring Device Eliminates Knot Tying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchoring devices for surgical procedures are cumbersome, particularly in minimally invasive surgeries, as they require manual knot tying, compromise suture integrity, and create weak points, making them difficult to use and manufacture effectively.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchoring device comprising two retaining members connected by a coupler, allowing the suture to be introduced, wrapped around the coupler, and secured with a holding mechanism, eliminating the need for manual knot tying while maintaining suture integrity and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual knot tying is used to anchor sutures, then the suture can be secured at the surgical site, but the surgical procedure becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying function from the surgical procedure by introducing a dedicated suture anchoring device that secures sutures through mechanical engagement rather than manual knotting, thereby eliminating the time-consuming knot-tying step while maintaining secure anchoring
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchoring device acts as an intermediary between the suture and the surgical site, providing a mechanical means to secure the suture without requiring the surgeon to manually tie knots, thus reducing procedural time while ensuring reliable anchoring
2Reliability
If surgical knots are tied to secure sutures, then the suture is anchored, but weak stress points are created in the suture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot-tying step entirely and replaces it with a device that distributes stress along the suture length through frictional engagement and mechanical constraint, eliminating the concentration of stress at a single knot location and preserving suture strength
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring device creates localized engagement zones along the suture where friction and mechanical constraint are concentrated, allowing the majority of the suture length to remain under uniform tension without stress concentrations, thereby maintaining overall suture integrity
3Reliability
If suture clips or fasteners are used to anchor sutures, then anchoring is achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring device is divided into distinct functional segments including a body portion, engagement elements, and positioning features, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity in the total assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchoring device is designed with universal features that allow it to secure various types of sutures through a single mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clips or fasteners and simplifying both device structure and manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A suture anchoring device comprising (1) a first retaining member having a first surface, a second surface and a first outer edge; where the second surface lies in a first plane; the first retaining member having an opening that extends from the first outer edge to at least partially through the second surface to an inner point of the first retaining member; (2) a second retaining member having a third surface, a fourth surface and a second outer edge; where the third surface lies in a second plane, the second retaining member having a holding means; and (3) a coupler having a third outer edge and a cross-sectional area taken in a plane parallel to the first plane that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first retaining member taken in a plane parallel to the first plane; where the coupler joins the first retaining member to the second retaining member at the second surface and third surface; wherein the second and third surfaces are parallel to each other and non-coterminous.