Convertible Suture Anchor for Orthopedic Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors for bone implantation are limited to either knotted or knotless suture attachment techniques, making it difficult for surgeons to determine the appropriate anchoring method during a surgical procedure.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor design that includes both knotless and knotted suture attachment capabilities, featuring an inner implant body with an inverted wedge or spreader that expands against the bone using an outer collar, and a breakaway feature for easy detachment, allowing for flexible suture loading configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If suture anchors are designed for knotted suture attachment only, then the anchoring capability is simple and reliable, but the versatility and adaptability to different surgical needs are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor is designed with dual functionality to accommodate both knotted and knotless suture attachment techniques. The anchor body includes a recess that can receive either a knotted suture or a knotless suture configuration, allowing surgeons to select the appropriate attachment method based on surgical requirements without needing separate anchors for each technique.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider mechanism within the anchor allows dynamic adjustment and conversion between different suture attachment configurations. The slider can be positioned to accommodate knotted sutures or reconfigured for knotless sutures, providing adaptability during the surgical procedure while maintaining structural integrity.
2Productivity
If suture anchors are designed for knotless suture attachment only, then the surgical procedure is more efficient and elegant, but the option for knotted attachment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor design incorporates features that support both knotless and knotted suture attachment, enabling surgeons to choose the more efficient knotless technique when appropriate while retaining the option to use knotted attachment if surgical conditions require it.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is pre-configured with the recess and slider mechanism ready to accommodate either suture type, allowing surgeons to make decisions during the procedure without needing to pre-determine the attachment method or perform additional anchor implantation steps.
3Strength
If the suture anchor uses an expandable collar mechanism, then the anchoring strength and stability are improved, but the device complexity and insertion difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable collar is nested within the anchor body during insertion, with the collar contained inside the insertion nose. This nested configuration simplifies the insertion process by reducing the profile of the device during implantation, while still providing the strength benefits of the expandable collar mechanism once deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state after implantation, dynamically changing its configuration to provide optimal anchoring strength. This dynamic transformation allows the device to maintain low insertion complexity while achieving high anchoring performance.
4Ease of operation
If the suture anchor includes a breakaway feature for inserter detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and potential for accidental detachment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The breakaway feature is designed with a predetermined fracture point that requires a specific force or action to activate. This preliminary design ensures that the inserter remains securely attached during normal insertion and deployment operations, while allowing for intentional detachment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakaway feature is localized to a specific region of the inserter-anchor interface, with different mechanical properties at the fracture point compared to the rest of the connection. This localized design provides ease of detachment at the fracture point while maintaining reliable attachment security in other critical regions during the insertion process.
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
Enables secure and versatile suture anchoring in orthopedic applications by allowing surgeons to choose between knotless and knotted configurations based on surgical needs, ensuring effective tissue fixation and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
pushing the expandable collar distally with an inserter causes the spreader to expand the collar against the surrounding bone to secure the suture anchor in place
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention include a suture anchor with both knotless and knotted suture attachment capabilities, as well as methods for loading the suture in knotless and knotted configurations. Some embodiments of the present invention include a suture anchor with an inner implant body with a spreader that slides in relation to an outer expandable collar, such that pushing the expandable collar distally with an inserter causes the spreader to expand the collar against the surrounding bone to secure the suture anchor in place. Such embodiments may also include a detachment or breakaway feature between the inserter and the suture anchor to permit separation after anchor deployment. Some embodiments of the present invention include methods for deploying such suture anchors and expanding the expandable collars and/or detaching the inserter tools. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in various orthopedic applications such as, for example, shoulder repair.