Variable Loop Suture Anchoring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unidirectional self-retaining sutures with fixed loop anchors face challenges such as small loop size requiring effort to pass the deployment end, potential issues with loop integrity, and excess material remaining in the tissue, which can cause surgical complications and instrument entanglement.
Innovation Solution
A self-retaining suture with a variable loop configuration that includes a fixed loop slidably engaging the elongated body, allowing the circumference to change, and a deployment end that passes through the loop to secure tissue as an anchor, preventing movement in the direction of deployment, thereby addressing the issues of loop size and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fixed loop anchor is used in unidirectional self-retaining sutures, then anchoring strength is improved, but the loop size becomes small requiring significant effort to pass the deployment end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the loop circumference variable rather than fixed. The loop can dynamically change size during the suturing process - initially large to facilitate easy passage of the deployment end, then reducible to a smaller configuration for secure anchoring. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between needing a large loop for ease of operation and a small loop for strong anchoring.
2Reliability
If a fixed loop anchor is used, then anchoring is achieved, but excess material remains in the tissue causing complications and instrument entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by enabling the loop to be reduced in size after serving its initial purpose of facilitating deployment. The excess loop material that would normally remain in the tissue and cause complications can be retrieved or removed after the anchoring function is established, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of excess material while maintaining anchoring reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed loop anchor is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but tension is concentrated causing tissue pinching and necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the loop circumference to change from a larger initial configuration to a reduced final configuration. This dynamic adjustment enables the loop to distribute tension more broadly across the tissue during the anchoring process, preventing the concentration of stress that leads to tissue pinching and necrosis, while still maintaining structural integrity through the variable loop mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture having a first end for penetrating tissue, an elongated suture body having a periphery; a plurality of retainers on the periphery, and a second end having a variable loop of variable circumference, wherein the variable loop includes a fixed loop slidably engaging the elongated body for slidingly varying the circumference of the variable loop, and wherein the first end may pass through the variable loop to secure tissue as an anchor, the anchor preventing movement of the suture in the direction of deployment of the first end.