All-Suture Anchor Tension Control for Bone Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current all-suture anchors rely on manual tensioning for deployment, leading to inconsistent tension and performance, which can result in anchor slippage or failure to expand properly in varying bone densities, affecting the stability and pull-out strength of the anchor.
Innovation Solution
An all-suture anchor system with an inserter that applies a consistent range of tension (60-150 N) using a mechanical mechanism, combined with a drill guide for bone protection, to ensure proper deployment and expansion within the bone tunnel, enhancing the anchor's stability and pull-out strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual tensioning is used for anchor deployment, then the deployment process is simple and quick, but the tension applied is inconsistent leading to variable anchor performance and potential slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical tensioning system with a controlled mechanical delivery system that uses pre-calculated tension specifications. The anchor is delivered through a controlled mechanism that ensures consistent tension application based on bone density and anchor size parameters, eliminating the variability of manual tensioning while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tension parameter from variable (manual) to controlled and consistent (mechanical delivery). By establishing predetermined tension parameters based on anchor size and bone density, the system ensures reliable and repeatable deployment conditions without requiring complex manual judgment or adjustment during the procedure.
2Strength
If higher tension is applied to ensure anchor expansion, then anchor pull-out strength increases, but the risk of anchor slippage before deployment and bone damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-setting the appropriate tension parameters before deployment. The mechanical delivery system is pre-configured with tension specifications based on the specific anchor size and estimated bone density, ensuring that the optimal tension is applied from the start without requiring trial-and-error or excessive force that could cause slippage or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the delivery system responds to real-time conditions during deployment. The controlled mechanical system can adjust or maintain tension based on resistance encountered, ensuring sufficient force for proper expansion while preventing excessive force that would cause slippage or bone damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves consistent anchor deployment and increased pull-out strength across different bone densities, reducing the risk of anchor slippage and failure, while protecting the bone surface during deployment.
Implementation Method 1
Both suture limbs are lightly pulled to contract the anchor, expanding it laterally against the wall of the drilled hole
Implementation Method 2
This design relies on the friction between the suture ball of the anchor and the bone
Data Source
AI summary
A method of anchoring soft tissue to a suitable bone site, using a soft suture anchor, includes steps of disposing the soft suture anchor on a shaft of an inserter, and securing a proximal end of a tensioning suture limb, extending proximally from the soft suture anchor, to structure in a handle of the inserter, so that it is maintained in place at a first level of holding tension (Thold). The inserter shaft is inserted into a hone hole at a desired procedural site, so that the soft suture anchor is positioned at a location where it is to be anchored. A further step involves actuating a control mechanism in the inserter handle to move the structure proximally to apply a second level of deployment tension (Tload) to the tensioning suture limb.