Orthopedic Bone Anchor Tensioning via Sliding Knot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic repair methods for joint fusion, such as arthrodesis, face challenges in stabilizing and compressing adjacent bones effectively to promote fusion, particularly in providing sufficient stability and flexibility for bone growth, especially in complex anatomical locations like the spine or hands.
Innovation Solution
An implantable orthopedic repair device comprising a rigid tubular implant body with a tension assembly that includes a suture loop and bone anchors, allowing for adjustable compression and stability between bones, utilizing a sliding knot mechanism to draw bone anchors closer, promoting bone growth and fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If metal plates and screws are used to hold bones together, then stability and compression are improved, but device complexity and procedural difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into separate functional components: a rigid tubular body for structural support and stability, and a suture-based tension assembly for compression and adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying the overall device compared to integrated metal plate-screw systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture tension assembly introduces dynamic adjustability to the otherwise rigid implant structure. The sliding knot mechanism allows the compression force to be adjusted and optimized after implantation, providing dynamic control over the stability parameters without requiring complex locking mechanisms.
2Reliability
If bone graft is used to aid healing, then bone growth is improved, but loss of substance and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant design creates optimal mechanical conditions (stability and compression) that enable the bone's own natural healing processes to occur without requiring external bone graft materials. The rigid tubular body provides structural support while the suture assembly maintains compression, allowing the bone to heal itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters (stability and compression force) to optimal levels that promote natural bone healing. By precisely controlling these physical parameters through the adjustable suture mechanism, the system creates an environment conducive to bone growth without needing additional biological materials.
3Reliability
If adjustable compression is implemented, then bone growth promotion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture tension assembly with sliding knot provides dynamic adjustability for compression force. This allows the compression to be optimized for bone growth while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure compared to motorized or mechanically complex adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture assembly uses flexible, thin suture material to create the tension mechanism. This flexible approach to achieving adjustable compression avoids the need for rigid, complex mechanical adjustment devices while still providing effective control over compression forces for bone growth promotion.
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 device provides enhanced stability and compression between bones, facilitating bone growth and fusion while reducing procedural complexity and improving the robustness of orthopedic fusions, adaptable for various anatomical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a suture tail which passes through the suture side hole and forms sliding knot within the inner lumen of the implant body. When the suture is tensioned, the suture loop contracts at least one bone anchor, independent of the implant body, unidirectionally towards the implant body.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable orthopedic repair device includes an implant body having a rigid tubular shape which defines an inner lumen and an orthogonal suture side hole in communication with the inner lumen. The implantable orthopedic repair device includes a tension assembly that is supported by the inner lumen and suture side hole of the implant body. The tension assembly includes a suture loop which defines a suture tail and a sliding knot that when tensioned contracts at least one bone anchor, independent of the implant body, unidirectionally towards the implant body.