Knotless Suture Anchor Locking Mechanism for Slippage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Knotless labral repair techniques face issues with relative movement between the labrum and the suture, and suture slippage due to insufficient interference fit between the suture anchor and the bone, especially in patients with diminished bone density.
Innovation Solution
A suture assembly comprising an anchor body, a repair suture with a looped end and a tail, and a shuttle suture, where the tail of the repair suture is locked against a suture engagement feature to prevent slippage, and the shuttle suture is used to secure the repair suture in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If knotless repair technique is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to suture slippage
Solution Approach 1:
A locking mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the suture and the anchor body. This locking mechanism engages with the suture tail and prevents slippage, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the knotless technique's ease of operation. The locking mechanism acts as a mediator that secures the suture without requiring traditional knotting.
2Reliability
If interference fit between suture anchor and bone is increased, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the anchor body, the suture with looped end and tail, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable fixation without requiring the entire device to be overly complex. The locking mechanism is a separate element that can be designed and manufactured independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the suture tail through self-service action. Once the suture is passed through the anchor, the locking mechanism autonomously secures the suture tail, eliminating the need for additional manual intervention or complex external locking systems. This self-securing feature maintains reliability while minimizing added complexity.
3Ease of operation
If suture tail is made thinner for easier passage, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suture exhibits local quality variation along its length. The suture tail is made thinner in the distal portion to facilitate easy passage through tissue and the anchor, while the proximal portion near the looped end maintains greater thickness and strength. This gradient in cross-sectional diameter allows the suture to be both easy to manipulate and sufficiently strong to bear load, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture assembly comprises a suture anchor, a repair suture, and a shuttle suture. Each suture has a looped end and a tail end. The tail end of the repair suture and the looped end of the shuttle suture extend out one side of the proximal end of the anchor, while the looped end of the repair suture and the tail end of the shuttle suture extend out the opposite side of the anchor. The tail of the repair suture may have a proximal portion which is thicker than its end portion. The suture anchor may include a proximal bore receiving the repair suture and a distal bore receiving the shuttle suture. The distal bore may have a rear opening having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the proximal portion of the suture and a front opening that is larger than the rear opening.