Knotless Suture Chain Anchor with Interlocking Link for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical fixation techniques for soft tissue to bone, such as ligament or tendon, often rely on friction for knotless fixation, which may not provide a secure 'hard stop', limiting the stability of the tissue attachment.
Innovation Solution
A knotless tissue fixation technique using a push-in type anchor and a suture chain with loops, where the anchor captures a link of the chain by pushing through a loop, providing a secure fixation point that does not rely on friction, and is further secured with a cannulated interference screw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If friction-based knotless fixation is used, then the fixation device can be inserted without tying knots, but the fixation lacks a secure hard stop and stability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A suture chain with discrete links serves as an intermediary between the anchor and the tissue, allowing the anchor tip to capture a specific link and create a hard stop fixation point without requiring knots, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation mechanism transitions from relying on continuous friction to engaging at discrete parameter points (specific suture chain links), creating defined hard stop positions that enhance fixation stability while maintaining the knotless advantage
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. The method utilizes a push-in type anchor (for example, a self-punching anchor) and a suture chain that includes a plurality of loops. A first portion of the suture chain is secured to the tissue to be fixated. The suture chain is next secured to the push-in type anchor (for example, by passing the suture chain through an eyelet of the anchor). The anchor is then advanced along the suture chain to bring a tip of the anchor above a chosen loop or link of the suture chain. The tip of the anchor is pushed through the chosen loop so that the tip locks the chosen loop in place (for example, by capturing both sides of the link above a shoulder of the anchor). With the captured link, the anchor is advanced into a pilot hole or socket formed in the bone to fixate the tissue. The captured link provides a hard stop that does not slip, in addition to frictional interference between the anchor and the bone socket.