Anatomic Soft Tissue Repair via Segmented Bone Bore Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
During soft tissue repair, such as tendon or ligament repair, the mismatch between the shape of the soft tissue and the round bone holes makes it difficult to insert or pull the tissue into the bone, and existing methods lack sufficient points of fixation for secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve forming connected bone holes approximating the shape of the soft tissue by using guide wires and a chisel to create elongated bone bores, and employing suture constructs with anchors to secure the tissue within these shaped holes, allowing for multiple points of fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If round bone holes are used for soft tissue repair, then the bone hole formation is simple, but the insertion of thin and elongated soft tissue becomes difficult due to shape mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single bone hole into multiple segmented bone holes (first bone hole, second bone hole, etc.). Each hole can accommodate a portion of the soft tissue, and the holes are connected to form a continuous pathway. This segmentation resolves the shape mismatch by providing multiple smaller openings that better match the thin profile of the soft tissue while maintaining ease of creation through standard drilling techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates bone holes with asymmetric cross-sectional shapes that approximate the elongated profile of the soft tissue. Instead of using symmetric circular holes, the holes are shaped to be elongated in the direction matching the soft tissue orientation. This asymmetric shaping improves the fit between the round bone holes and the thin soft tissue, facilitating easier insertion while still using relatively simple drilling and shaping methods.
2Device complexity
If single bone hole is used, then the procedure is simple, but the fixation strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple segmented bone holes instead of a single hole, with each hole receiving an anchor and suture construct. This distributes the fixation load across multiple independent fixation points, significantly increasing overall fixation strength. The segmented approach maintains procedural simplicity by using repetitive, standardized steps for creating and treating each individual hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple fixation elements (multiple anchors, multiple suture constructs, multiple bone holes) into an integrated repair system. The individual fixation points work together as a unified structure to secure the soft tissue, merging the functions of multiple components to achieve superior overall fixation strength while maintaining the simplicity of individual standardized steps.
3Strength
If multiple points of fixation are used, then the fixation strength increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standardized, universal anchor and suture construct designs that can be repeatedly applied to each bone hole. Each fixation unit serves multiple functions: the anchor provides bone engagement, the suture provides soft tissue attachment, and the combined construct provides both fixation and tensioning. This universality allows multiple fixation points to be implemented without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as each unit follows the same standardized protocol.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for repairing soft tissue. The method includes: forming a first bone hole; forming a second bone hole; connecting a first portion of the first bone hole to a second portion of the second bone hole to form a single bone bore; positioning at least a first anchor of a first suture construct at a distal end of the first bone hole, and positioning a second anchor of a second suture construct at a distal end of the second bone hole; connecting the first and the second suture constructs to the soft tissue; and drawing the soft tissue into the single bone bore with the first and the second suture constructs.