Suture Anchor with Post-Deployment Snare Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture anchors constrain surgeons by requiring sutures to be attached before deployment, limiting flexibility and making it difficult to adjust procedures mid-surgery, especially in cases where access is limited, and existing suture securing methods are cumbersome and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor system that allows sutures to be attached after deployment, using a suture-attaching element that can snare the suture, enabling customization and knotless fixation, with mechanisms like hollow nose cones and suture threaders to securely attach sutures to the anchor without pre-knotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures are attached to the suture anchor before deployment, then the suture anchor can be securely fixed to the bone, but the surgeon's flexibility to adjust the procedure is significantly constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the suture attachment function from the anchor deployment function. The anchor body is deployed first and secured to the bone, then the suture is attached separately through a suture-attaching element (such as a hollow nose cone or suture threader) that allows the suture to be threaded through after deployment. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently and enables procedural flexibility while maintaining secure fixation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgeon needs to adjust the suture configuration after anchor deployment, then the procedure can be customized to tissue conditions, but this requires the ability to attach sutures after deployment which complicates the anchor design
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a suture-attaching element (such as a hollow nose cone, suture threader, or other intermediary structure) that serves as a mediator between the deployed anchor and the suture. This intermediary element provides a convenient interface for attaching the suture after deployment without requiring complex modifications to the anchor body itself, thus enabling customization while keeping the overall system complexity manageable.
3Ease of operation
If physical access to the surgical site is limited, then the surgical procedure becomes more difficult, but knotting the suture becomes particularly inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical knot-tying system with an alternative suture securing mechanism. Instead of requiring the surgeon to manually knot the suture in a confined space, the design allows the suture to be threaded through the hollow nose cone or suture-attaching element and secured using a plug or friction-fit mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for complex knotting maneuvers in difficult-to-reach areas, saving time and reducing surgical difficulty.
4Ease of operation
If a traditional hole is used for suture threading, then the suture can be passed through the implant, but the suture cannot be easily removed and may be damaged by curved needles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic, reversible suture attachment mechanism through the hollow nose cone or suture-attaching element. The suture can be easily inserted through the hollow structure and secured, and can also be removed by simply pulling it through the same path. This dynamic attachment method eliminates the permanent, fixed nature of traditional holes, allowing for easy removal and replacement of sutures without damaging the suture material or the implant.
Data Source
AI summary
A repair system including at least one anchor, screw, or plate with a body and a suture capture element formed in the body for attaching at least one suture to the anchor, screw, or plate. The suture capture element being configured so as to permit the suture to be snared by the suture-capture element after the anchor, screw, or plate has been attached to bone.