Suture Anchor Delivery Device with Toggle Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture anchor delivery systems require the use of knots, knot pushers, and retraction lines for implantation and tightening, which are complex and limit the flexibility of independent and prioritized deployment of suture anchors in soft tissue repair.

Innovation Solution

A delivery device with a control mechanism that ensures prioritized deployment of two suture anchors, allowing independent and flexible deployment with a toggle mechanism for fixing driver positions, eliminating the need for knots and retraction lines by using a housing with driver mechanisms and calibration marks for precise implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If knots and retraction lines are used for suture anchor deployment, then the suture anchors can be secured and tightened, but the procedure becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuture anchor fixationVSAvoiddeployment procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes knots and retraction lines from the suture anchor deployment system. Instead of using traditional knot-tying mechanisms, the invention employs a delivery device with driver mechanisms that directly implant and secure the suture anchors through mechanical action, eliminating the need for separate knot-tying steps and retraction lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture anchors are designed with self-securing features that allow them to be deployed and fixed automatically by the driver mechanism without requiring separate knot-tying actions. The anchors self-lock or self-secure upon deployment, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional components like knots and retraction lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If a single needle and pusher mechanism is used for delivering suture anchors, then the device structure is simple, but the surgeon has little freedom for individually deploying anchors and making adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery device structureVSAvoidindependent deployment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device is segmented into multiple independent driver mechanisms, each capable of independently deploying a suture anchor. This segmentation allows the surgeon to control each anchor's deployment separately, providing flexibility to make adjustments to individual anchors without affecting others, while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driver mechanisms are designed to be movable and adjustable during the deployment process. The surgeon can dynamically control the position and action of each driver mechanism, allowing for real-time adjustments and individual deployment control, transforming a static single-mechanism system into a dynamic multi-mechanism system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If pusher mechanisms extend from opposing surfaces of the device body, then independent delivery of anchors is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex and less rigid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent anchor deliveryVSAvoidpusher mechanism arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple driver mechanisms are merged into a single integrated device body structure rather than extending from opposing surfaces. This consolidation reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the capability for independent anchor delivery. The drivers are arranged in a coordinated manner within the device body, providing structural rigidity while enabling individual control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the delivery needle position is not fixed, then flexibility in needle positioning is achieved, but the surgeon lacks rigid fixation control during deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle positioning flexibilityVSAvoidposition fixation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery needle position is designed to be dynamically adjustable during the procedure. The needle can be positioned and repositioned freely to achieve optimal placement, and then fixed in place when needed. This dynamic design provides both the flexibility for initial positioning and the reliability for secure fixation during the deployment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2740414B1Suture anchor delivery device
Publication Date: 2018.02.07 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP2740414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2740414B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2740414B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A suture holder delivery system (300) including a housing (310) having a distal end and a proximal end, a first driver mechanism (312) and a second driver mechanism (314), each movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the housing, a first delivery needle (332) and a second delivery needle (334), the first delivery needle connected at a proximal end to the first driver mechanism and the second delivery needle connected at a proximal end to the second driver mechanism, the first driver mechanism and said second driver mechanism each having fully retracted and fully extended positions and a toggle assembly (366) operable to fix at least one of the first driver mechanism and second driver mechanism in at least one longitudinal position. The delivery system may alternatively or additionally include a locking mechanism operable to prevent the second driver mechanism from being moved in a distal direction until the first driver mechanism is longitudinally advanced to the extended position.