Toggle Bolt Tissue Anchor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing continuous closed suture loops to tissue anchors face challenges, particularly when the suture and anchor are manufactured in separate locations, leading to increased shipping costs and lead times, and difficulties in braiding the suture loop directly onto the anchor.
Innovation Solution
A method of assembling a tissue anchor that includes positioning a continuous closed suture loop through an opening in the anchor body, securing an insert adjacent to the loop, and using a snap-fit or other connections to secure the loop to the anchor body, allowing for sterilization and packaging in a single location, thereby reducing assembly complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the continuous closed suture loop is formed directly on the anchor structure, then the suture loop is securely attached to the anchor, but the manufacturing complexity increases and requires specialized braiding equipment at the anchor manufacturing location
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the anchor assembly into separate components: the anchor body and the continuous closed suture loop are manufactured independently at different locations, then assembled using a toggle bolt mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured separately, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle bolt mechanism serves as an intermediary component that connects the pre-formed continuous closed suture loop to the anchor body. This intermediary allows the suture loop to be attached securely without requiring direct braiding or complex integration during anchor manufacturing.
2Reliability
If the suture loop is braided directly onto the anchor at the anchor manufacturing location, then the attachment is secure, but shipping costs and lead time increase due to the need for separate manufacturing locations
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous closed suture loop is pre-formed and prepared in advance at a different location from the anchor manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the suture loop to be ready for assembly without requiring time-consuming on-site braiding operations, thereby reducing lead time and enabling more flexible logistics.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the product into separately manufacturable components (anchor body and pre-formed suture loop), the invention enables parallel manufacturing processes at different locations, which reduces overall lead time and allows for optimized supply chain management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the suture loop is secured to the anchor in separate locations by separate entities, then manufacturing flexibility increases, but shipping costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle bolt mechanism serves as a standardized intermediary component that simplifies the assembly process between separately manufactured anchor bodies and suture loops. This standardized interface makes assembly straightforward despite the components being manufactured by different entities at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle bolt mechanism provides a universal connection method that can be used across different anchor and suture loop configurations, making the assembly process consistent and simple regardless of which entities manufacture the individual components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a method of assembling an anchor for use in tissue comprising an anchor body, a continuous closed suture loop and an insert, the method comprising positioning a portion of the continuous closed suture loop through an opening in the anchor body; positioning the insert adjacent the portion of the continuous closed suture loop which was passed through the opening; and securing the insert to the anchor body such that the continuous closed suture loop is secured to the anchor body by the insert.