Adjustable Implant Assembly for Tissue Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implant assemblies for tissue repair lack an adjustable length feature, making it difficult to accommodate anatomical differences and deviations from surgical plans during procedures like ACL reconstruction and syndesmotic joint repair.

Innovation Solution

An implant assembly with an adjustable length, comprising a fixation device with multiple apertures and a flexible elongate element that forms bone-side loops, a fixation loop, and an adjustable knot arrangement, allowing for easy adjustment of loop lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-length loop is used in the implant assembly, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate anatomical differences and surgical plan deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to anatomical differencesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable loop structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loop structure is transformed from a fixed configuration to an adjustable one through the knot arrangement that can be repositioned along the elongate element. This allows the loop length to be dynamically changed during surgery to match anatomical variations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The length parameter of the loop is made variable through the adjustable knot mechanism. By changing the position of the knot along the elongate element, the effective length of the loop can be adjusted to accommodate different anatomical conditions without requiring multiple different implant sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If an adjustable knot arrangement is added to the implant assembly, then the loop length can be adjusted to suit patient anatomy, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adjustment during surgeryVSAvoidcomplexity of knot and aperture structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation device is segmented into multiple apertures positioned at different locations, allowing the elongate element to be routed through different combinations of apertures to create loops of varying lengths. This segmentation enables adjustment without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The knot acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the elongate element and the fixation device apertures. By positioning the knot at different locations relative to the apertures, the effective loop length is adjusted while the knot itself remains a simple tying feature rather than a complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple apertures are provided in the fixation device, then loop length adjustment is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility in loop configurationVSAvoidease of manufacturing fixation device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation device with multiple apertures serves multiple functions: it provides attachment points for the elongate element, enables loop length adjustment, and allows different routing configurations. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple structural addition of apertures to the fixation device body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12310840B2Implant assembly and associated methods of manufacturing

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 XIROS LTD

AI summary

An implant assembly for use in tissue repair having an adjustable length and comprising: a fixation device comprising a bone facing surface, an outer surface, a first and at least one further aperture extending through the fixation device from the outer surface to the bone facing surface; and a flexible elongate element secured to the fixation device and having first and second free ends.