Surgical Suture Notch Retention Mechanism for Tissue Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering and anchoring sutures in surgical procedures often require large incisions and bulky tools, causing tissue trauma and weakening the tissue where the anchor is disposed.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an elongate member featuring a notch that retains a suture loop during insertion and releases it when moved in a different direction, coupled with an adjustable stop to control insertion depth, allowing for precise placement of tissue anchors without excessive tissue trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large tissue anchors with many barbs are used to achieve high anchoring strength, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the ease of insertion deteriorates and tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue anchor is segmented into multiple barbs along the suture, with each barb configured to engage tissue independently. This segmentation allows the anchor to achieve high overall anchoring strength through cumulative engagement of multiple smaller barbs rather than relying on a single large anchor, thereby improving ease of insertion while maintaining anchoring strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Each barb on the tissue anchor is designed with specific local properties including optimized angle, height, and curvature to maximize tissue engagement efficiency. The barbs are positioned at different locations along the suture with varying orientations to engage tissue at different depths, achieving high anchoring strength through localized optimized interactions rather than uniform large-scale anchoring.
2Strength
If large incisions are made to insert large tissue anchors, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the tissue trauma increases and tissue strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is segmented into multiple small barbs distributed along the suture length, allowing the system to achieve high anchoring strength through distributed engagement rather than concentrated insertion. This segmentation enables use of smaller incisions since each barb requires only minimal tissue penetration, collectively providing sufficient anchoring while minimizing overall tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue anchor transitions from a single-point insertion approach to a distributed linear arrangement of barbs along the suture. This dimensional change from concentrated to distributed anchoring allows the system to achieve comparable or superior anchoring strength while using multiple smaller incisions rather than one large incision, thereby reducing tissue trauma and preserving tissue integrity.
3Strength
If bulky delivery tools are used to insert large tissue anchors, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the device complexity increases and tissue trauma worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The complex delivery mechanism is extracted and replaced by a simple push-through approach. The tissue anchor is designed to be delivered through minimal instrumentation, with the barbs naturally engaging tissue as the suture is pushed through the incision. This extraction of unnecessary delivery complexity maintains anchoring strength while eliminating the need for bulky specialized delivery tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue anchor is designed to self-deploy and self-anchor as it is pushed through the tissue. The barbs are configured to automatically engage tissue upon insertion without requiring complex activation mechanisms or specialized delivery tools. This self-service design achieves high anchoring strength while minimizing device complexity in the delivery system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an elongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The elongate member defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the elongate member defines a notch having a face defining an axis. The axis of the face and the longitudinal axis define an acute angle with respect to a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to retain a loop of a suture when the elongate member is moved through a tissue of a patient in the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to release the loop of the suture when the elongate member is moved through the tissue of the patient in a second direction different than the first direction. The suture has at least one tissue anchor configured to be disposed within the tissue of the patient.