Suture Anchor Assembly With Rotational Slack Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchor techniques often result in loose and slack repair suture during tissue repair, which can compromise the effectiveness of the repair construct.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor assembly with a fixation device and implant that feature engagement features and a stop mechanism to prevent rotational movement, allowing the fixation device and implant to be rotated together to wind up and reduce slack in the repair suture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture anchor assembly is used to reattach tissue to bone, then the tissue can be secured to the bone, but slack may remain in the suture compromising the repair effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor assembly incorporates a rotatable implant that can dynamically adjust from a loose state during insertion to a tightened state during rotation. The implant's ability to rotate and wind the suture transforms the static anchor into a dynamic tensioning device, allowing the surgeon to eliminate slack by simply rotating the implant rather than performing complex knot-tying procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant design allows the suture to be wound around itself or the implant body through rotation, creating a self-tensioning mechanism. As the implant rotates, the suture automatically winds up and tightens the repair construct without requiring separate tensioning tools or complex manipulation by the surgeon.
2Ease of operation
If the implant is connected to the fixation device, then the implant can be rotated to tighten the suture, but rotational movement between the fixation device and implant may occur reducing tensioning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features on both the fixation device and implant are designed to work together as a unified rotational coupling system. The first engagement feature on the fixation device and the second engagement feature on the implant mate together to create a mechanically locked connection that prevents relative rotation, ensuring that when the surgeon rotates the implant, the entire assembly rotates as one unit to effectively tighten the suture.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational connection is divided into two distinct engagement features: one on the fixation device and one on the implant. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its individual function while the paired engagement features work together to prevent relative rotation, providing a clear mechanical interface for torque transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical anchor assemblies and method of tissue repair using the same. The surgical anchor assemblies have a cannulated fixation device, an implant configured to be coupled to the fixation device, and a stop mechanism for preventing relative movement between the fixation device and the implant, such that the fixation device and the implant are configured to rotate together, and a flexible strand winds up to reduce any slack in the flexible strand used for the repair.