Bone Anchor With Two-Bar Locking Assembly for Tissue Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing tissue to bone lack direct tactile feedback and efficient adjustment of tissue positioning during the attachment process, often requiring knot tying to lock sutures in place.

Innovation Solution

A bone anchor system with a two-bar locking assembly that allows individual tensioning of suture ends, providing direct tactile feedback and secure locking without knots, by using a cavity with locking elements that compress the suture in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional knot tying methods are used to lock sutures in place, then secure attachment is achieved, but surgical time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the knot-tying step from the surgical procedure by incorporating a pre-designed locking mechanism within the bone anchor itself. The suture is threaded through the anchor and locked in place by the mechanical structure of the anchor, eliminating the need for external knot tying operations during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bone anchor performs the dual function of both anchoring the suture and locking it in place through its own structural design. The anchor's internal geometry and locking features enable it to secure the suture automatically when inserted into the bone, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional knot-tying tools or steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If traditional suture locking methods are used, then tissue positioning can be achieved, but direct tactile feedback and efficient adjustment are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue positioning precisionVSAvoidtactile feedback and adjustment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bone anchor incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the suture to be tensioned and adjusted before final locking. The mechanism transitions from an unlocked state during insertion to a locked state after positioning, enabling real-time adjustment and tactile feedback during the surgical procedure for precise tissue positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If knot tying is required to lock sutures, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity and procedural steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture locking reliabilityVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of suture anchoring and suture locking into a single integrated bone anchor device. The locking mechanism is built into the anchor structure itself, combining what were previously separate functions (anchor insertion and knot tying) into one unified component that performs both operations simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7938847B2Ring cinch assembly to attach bone to tissue

Publication Date: 2011.05.10 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using a bone anchoring system are described. Methods and apparatuses may allow transformation between locked and unlocked states, thereby allowing adjustment of the tension in the suture. The apparatus and/or methods may allow unidirectional movement of a suture, while preventing slippage or movement of the suture and tissue in the opposite direction. Ends of a suture may be individually tensioned to adjust positioning of a tissue with respect to a bone.