Suture Anchor Management Device with Integrated Channel System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture anchor systems face challenges in managing suture location and position during deployment, leading to tangling and accessibility issues, which complicates the reattachment of detached soft tissue to bones during surgery or injury recovery.

Innovation Solution

A suture management device with a handle and shaft system that includes elongate channels and posts to securely wrap and maintain sutures, preventing tangling and ensuring easy access, allowing for efficient deployment and reattachment of soft tissue to bones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sutures are attached to the suture anchor, then the reattachment capability is improved, but the suture management complexity increases leading to tangling and positioning difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereattachment capabilityVSAvoidsuture management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple compartments, each dedicated to storing and organizing a specific suture. This segmentation prevents sutures from tangling with each other while maintaining the capability to use multiple sutures for reattachment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Guide channels are introduced as intermediary structures that direct suture movement from the anchor through the shaft to the handle. These channels act as mediators that prevent random suture movement and tangling while enabling controlled access to multiple sutures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sutures are kept accessible during implantation, then the surgical efficiency is improved, but the sutures may interfere with the clinician's placement and deployment of the suture anchor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidanchor deployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Sutures are nested within the shaft and handle structure during the implantation process. The sutures are contained within guide channels and compartments, making them accessible when needed but non-interfering during anchor placement. The nested configuration allows sutures to be pulled out smoothly after the anchor is secured

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture management device pre-organizes sutures in a controlled manner before implantation begins. By having sutures pre-positioned in the handle with dedicated compartments and guide channels already in place, the system eliminates the need for manual suture management during surgery, improving both efficiency and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9993242B2Suture anchor management

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A suture management device includes a handle defining a first elongate channel. The first elongate channel extends about a longitudinal circumference of the handle. A shaft extends distally from the handle. A suture anchor is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. A suture is configured to extend from the suture anchor proximally along the shaft and into the first elongate channel defined by the handle. A door integrally can be formed with the handle. The suture extends into an area between the door and the handle. The door is configured to maintain tension on the suture when in a closed position.