Tensionable Knotless Suture Anchor with Self-Cinching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knotless suture anchor constructs lack effective tensioning and suture management capabilities, making it difficult to achieve optimal tissue fixation and tensioning after implantation, especially in soft tissue repairs such as labral, rotator cuff, and Achilles tendon repairs.
Innovation Solution
The development of tensionable knotless suture constructs with self-cinching mechanisms that allow for post-implantation tensioning and retensioning, featuring a smaller diameter anchor design with the splice mechanism located outside the anchor but within the bone tunnel, enabling easier suture management and adjustment without the need for knot tying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional knotless suture anchors are used, then suture fixation is achieved, but tissue tensioning capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor incorporates a dynamic tensioning mechanism that allows the suture to be tensioned and locked after implantation. The cinching element can be actively engaged to compress the tissue against the bone, transforming a static fixation device into one with adjustable tensioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor includes self-cinching features that allow the suture to automatically tension and lock the tissue in position after implantation, eliminating the need for external knot-tying procedures while maintaining reliable fixation.
2Length of moving object
If anchor diameter is reduced, then minimally invasive benefits are improved, but suture management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The splice mechanism is repositioned from inside the anchor to outside the anchor but within the bone tunnel. This dimensional relocation allows for easier suture splicing and management in a more accessible location while maintaining the small anchor diameter for minimally invasive implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice making mechanism is extracted from the anchor body and positioned in the bone tunnel instead. This separation allows the anchor to remain small for minimally invasive insertion while providing adequate space for suture manipulation and splicing operations outside the anchor.
3Device complexity
If splice mechanism is placed inside anchor, then compact design is achieved, but post-implantation tensioning is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning system is designed to be dynamically adjustable after implantation through the cinching element and pull wire mechanism, allowing the surgeon to optimize tissue tensioning in response to actual surgical conditions and tissue characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning function is segmented from the anchor body into a separate cinching element and pull wire system. This segmentation allows the anchor to remain compact while providing independent tensioning capability that can be activated and adjusted after implantation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Constructs for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) and with the flexible strands provided through tissue, around tissue, or through and around tissue to be repaired or fixated.