Barbed Soft Anchor Assembly for Knotless Tissue Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors for musculoskeletal repairs lack effective, knotless fixation methods to securely attach soft or hard tissues, particularly in orthopedic procedures such as rotator cuff repairs, Achilles tendon repairs, and ACL/PCL reconstructions.
Innovation Solution
A soft anchor assembly comprising a sheath and a flexible strand with barbs that allows for secure attachment of body tissues by allowing movement in one direction and restricting movement in the opposite direction, utilizing the barbs to prevent retraction and provide knotless fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture anchors are used for tissue attachment, then tissue reattachment can be achieved, but the procedure requires complex knot tying and has reduced reliability due to potential knot failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the knot-tying component from the tissue fixation system by using a barbed flexible strand that achieves secure attachment through barb engagement with tissue rather than through knots. The barbs are specifically designed to engage tissue mechanically without requiring any knotting procedure, thereby removing the complexity and potential failure points associated with traditional suture knots.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed flexible strand acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sheath and the tissue, providing a reliable connection through barb-tissue engagement rather than requiring direct knot-based fixation. The barbs serve as the mediating element that transfers and secures the attachment force without the need for complex suture knotting procedures.
2Ease of operation
If barbed flexible strand is used to allow one-way movement, then knotless fixation is achieved, but the sheath movement control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The barbed flexible strand is designed to be self-regulating in terms of sheath movement control. The barbs naturally engage with the sheath in one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction, eliminating the need for additional complex control mechanisms. The structure itself provides the movement control function through its inherent barb geometry and engagement characteristics.
3Strength
If multiple barbs are placed on the flexible strand, then tissue attachment strength is improved, but the risk of tissue damage during insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barbs are designed with varying local characteristics along the flexible strand, with different barb geometries, spacing, and orientations optimized for specific tissue types and insertion requirements. This local quality variation allows the barbs to engage tissue effectively for strong attachment while minimizing the risk of damage during the insertion process by adapting to different tissue characteristics at different locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A soft anchor assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sheath and a flexible strand at least partially surrounded by the sheath.