Suture Anchor Filament Knot Patency Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture anchor systems require multiple knots to secure tissue to bone, which can lead to loosening and slippage, especially in tight spaces, and are cumbersome during arthroscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor with a filament knot patency element that allows for adjustable tensioning and incremental tightening, reducing the number of knots needed by using a sliding knot that can be maintained in a non-cinched configuration until deployment, featuring a channel for the knot to move within the anchor body and a mechanism to lock the shortening limb for desired tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple knots are tied to secure tissue to bone, then holding power and security against loosening is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome knot-tying procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying function from the tissue securing process by using a pre-formed loop structure on the filament that can be directly engaged with the anchor, eliminating the need for multiple knots while maintaining security against loosening
Solution Approach 2:
The filament is segmented into distinct functional portions including a pre-formed loop, a free end, and a secured end, allowing the loop to provide the securing function without requiring additional knots
2Reliability
If multiple knots are tied to prevent slippage, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens in tight joint spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot-tying step entirely by using a pre-formed loop structure that can be directly engaged with the anchor, eliminating the need for complex knot manipulation in difficult-to-reach joint spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The loop is pre-formed on the filament before surgery, allowing the surgeon to simply engage it with the anchor without performing complex knot-tying maneuvers in the confined surgical field
3Ease of operation
If conventional sliding knots are used, then ease of operation is improved for initial placement, but reliability deteriorates due to potential loosening and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the sliding knot mechanism entirely by using a pre-formed loop structure that provides inherent security against loosening without requiring additional half-hitches or complex knotting procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The filament system allows for dynamic adjustment of the loop size and position before final engagement with the anchor, providing ease of operation during placement while the engaged state provides inherent protection against loosening
4Reliability
If larger knots are tied to ensure security, then reliability is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to tissue damage from knot abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot structure entirely and replaces it with a pre-formed loop that engages with the anchor, eliminating the source of tissue abrasion while maintaining or improving security through the loop's geometric configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A suture anchor, and a surgical filament assembly using same, capable of being fixated in a hole formed in a bone of a patient. The suture anchor preferably includes an anchor body having a distal end, a proximal end, a passage extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, at least one feature disposed on the exterior of the anchor to engage bone, and a filament knot patency element disposed within the passage and defining a channel having a sufficient minimum cross-sectional area to allow movement of a portion of a surgical filament therethrough when a removable sliding knot is formed, using the surgical filament, about the filament knot patency element. The surgical filament assembly preferably includes a first filament having a sliding knot removably positioned about the knot patency element, with a shortening limb and a tightening limb each extending from the sliding knot. The sliding knot defines an adjustable capture loop having two legs extending proximally to a bight, one leg transitioning into the shortening limb and passing through the channel of the knot patency element, the shortening limb being accessible to enable a user to shorten the capture loop. The tightening limb enables the user to tighten the sliding knot against an object extending through the capture loop to secure the object to the anchor.