Cartilage Fixing Device With Network Bridges And Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cartilage and soft tissue repair surgeries face high failure rates due to low biological strength of cartilage, requiring high rehabilitation efforts and often necessitate secondary surgeries, with existing fixation methods like anchors, sutures, and gels providing inadequate biomechanical support.
Innovation Solution
A cartilage and soft tissue fixing device featuring a network bridge-shaped structure with adjustable anchors and absorbable materials, incorporating anti-falling limiting slots, bone growth holes, and network bridges that provide enhanced biomechanical strength and stability, allowing for improved fixation and reduced likelihood of secondary surgeries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fixation methods (anchors, sutures, gels) are used, then the surgery can be performed with simple procedures, but the fixation strength is insufficient and the failure rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is segmented into multiple components: a network structure with multiple bridges (peripheral bridges and inscribed bridges) and multiple anchors (first anchors and second anchors). This segmentation allows the device to distribute fixation forces across multiple points, significantly enhancing overall fixation strength while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite material strategies where the network structure and anchors are made from materials with different properties optimized for specific functions. The network bridges provide flexible support while the anchors provide rigid fixation, creating a composite system that achieves superior fixation strength compared to single-material solutions.
2Strength
If absorbable nails are used for fixation, then the device can be absorbed by the body, but the fixation strength does not match the strength of cartilage or regenerated cartilage
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic characteristics through the network structure that can adapt its mechanical properties over time. The absorbable network bridges provide initial flexible support that gradually transfers load to the regenerating cartilage, allowing the fixation strength to dynamically match the evolving strength of the repaired tissue throughout the healing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in the absorbable materials, where the mechanical properties (strength, stiffness) of the network bridges change over time as they degrade. This allows the fixation strength to evolve from high initial support to gradual reduction, matching the strength development of the regenerating cartilage tissue.
3Strength
If gel fixation is used, then the operation is simple, but the fixation strength is small and the fixing effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the fixation function into multiple anchors distributed across the network structure, allowing simple insertion procedures similar to gel fixation while achieving superior fixation strength through the distributed anchor system that engages with the cartilage at multiple points.
4Strength
If anchor line fixation is used, then the procedure is straightforward, but the fixation cannot effectively achieve good fixation of the cartilage due to strength mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from one-dimensional line fixation to a two-dimensional network structure with peripheral and inscribed bridges. This dimensional expansion allows the fixation to engage cartilage tissue across a larger area and in multiple orientations, achieving superior fixation strength while the modular anchor design keeps the overall structure manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartilage and soft tissue fixing device comprises: a plurality of anchors, the anchors being composed of columns and vertebral apexes, and the columns being evenly provided with bone growth holes and/or bone growth slots, wherein the columns are further evenly provided with anti-falling limiting slots, and the columns are provided with line passing holes or line clamping slots near tail ends; and network bridges, the network bridges comprising peripheral bridges and inscribed bridges, the inscribed bridges being connected in the peripheral bridges and the anchors being connected to the peripheral bridges by means of the line passing holes or the line clamping slots, wherein the network bridges may effectively cover a cartilage or soft tissue area to be fixed, and prevent the cartilage or soft tissue from falling off.