Bone Fastener with Movable Claw for Tendon Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for partial thickness tears in the supraspinatus tendon, particularly those less than 50%, do not effectively repair or strengthen the tendon, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and potential for further damage, often requiring subsequent more invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A fastener or staple system is developed to attach an implant to bone, including a staple delivery device and a pilot hole forming trocar assembly, which allows for the secure fixation of a sheet-like material to the tendon, thereby reinforcing the damaged area without cutting the untorn portion of the tendon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments are used for partial thickness tears less than 50%, then the tendon is not effectively repaired or strengthened, but this leads to chronic pain, stiffness, and potential for further damage requiring more invasive surgeries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering a sheet-like material to the tendon before the tear progresses to full thickness. The material is positioned and secured to the tendon using fasteners that attach to bone, preventing further damage and providing structural support in advance of complete failure. This proactive intervention avoids the need for more invasive surgeries later.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet-like material serves as an intermediary element between the damaged tendon and the bone. It is secured to the bone using fasteners with claws that engage the bone structure, while the sheet material itself provides reinforcement to the tendon. This intermediary structure transfers and distributes mechanical loads, protecting the partially torn tendon from further injury.
2Strength
If a fastener system with claws is used to secure the sheet-like material to bone, then secure fixation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is segmented into distinct functional components: arms that straddle the bone, a bridge connecting the arms, and claws that extend from the arms to engage the bone. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall fixation strength. The claws can be deployed individually to secure the sheet material at multiple points.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener employs dynamic elements including movable claws that can transition from a retracted delivery position to an extended engaged position within the bone. The arms are configured to flex and adapt to the bone geometry, and the bridge can deform to accommodate variations in bone structure. This dynamic behavior allows the fastener to achieve secure fixation while accommodating anatomical variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener for attaching a sheet-like implant to tissue or bone. The fastener includes a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge extending therebetween. Each of the first and second arms include a trunk portion defining at least a portion thereof, the trunk portion having a cavity therein and an aperture through a wall thereof. A claw is disposed in the cavity which is moveable from a first delivery position to a second deployed position. A pull member engages each claw to move the claw from the delivery position to the deployed position.