Suture Anchor Reload System for Surgical Inserter Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for implanting suture anchors are inefficient as they require a different inserter for each anchor, leading to increased costs and waste due to the inconvenience of reloading suture anchors onto inserters in the operating room.

Innovation Solution

A suture anchor loading system comprising a first and second portion defining a suture anchor receptacle, with a superstructure to retain these portions together, allowing for easy loading and reloading of suture anchors onto an inserter, enabling the reuse of a single inserter for multiple anchors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a different inserter is used for each suture anchor, then the suture anchor can be implanted, but cost increases and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of anchor implantationVSAvoidwaste of inserters

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional components: a reusable inserter and a disposable suture anchor cartridge. This segmentation allows the expensive inserter to be reused while only the consumable cartridge is discarded, reducing waste and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suture anchor cartridge is designed to be loaded into the inserter, creating a nested configuration where the disposable component fits within the reusable component. This allows the inserter to be reused multiple times with different cartridges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If reloading suture anchors onto an inserter is done manually in the operating room, then the procedure can be completed, but time is lost and the process becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of anchor reloadingVSAvoidtime for reloading anchors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suture anchor is pre-loaded onto the inserter in a controlled environment before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual reloading during the operation, saving both time and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a disposable suture anchor cartridge that is pre-assembled and ready for immediate use. This eliminates the need for repeated manual loading operations, as each cartridge is single-use and pre-prepared, significantly reducing time loss during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If multiple suture anchors are implanted using separate inserters, then each anchor can be placed, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of anchors implantedVSAvoidnumber of inserters required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inserter is designed as a universal tool that can accommodate multiple different suture anchor cartridges through standardized loading mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows a single inserter to implant multiple anchors, reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10052092B2Suture anchor reload

Publication Date: 2018.08.21 BIOMET MFG LLC

AI summary

A suture anchor loading system for loading a suture anchor on a suture. The suture anchor loading system includes a first portion and a second portion defining a suture anchor receptacle therebetween. A superstructure is configured to retain the first and the second portions together. The suture anchor can be loaded onto the suture when the suture anchor is seated within the suture anchor receptacle.