Cylindrical Suture Anchor Augmenting Articular Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing damaged articular surfaces of bones, such as after an anterior shoulder dislocation, face challenges in effectively anchoring tissue to the bone, particularly in cases like Bankart tears and Hill-Sachs lesions, where surgical repair is necessary to restore joint stability.
Innovation Solution
The development of devices and methods involving a cylindrical body with suture holes and grooves that can be coupled into a bone's mating cavity, allowing for the rotation and secure anchoring of sutures to both the bone and soft tissue, using a driver to rotate the body and secure it within the cavity, thereby augmenting the articular surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional suture anchoring methods are used, then the procedure is simple, but the anchoring strength and stability of the suture to bone is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a driver portion for insertion and rotation, a body portion with grooves for suture engagement, and a head portion for articular surface augmentation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while collectively providing strong anchoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional planar suture anchoring to a three-dimensional configuration where the cylindrical body with grooves engages sutures in multiple dimensions. The grooves wrap around the body circumference, creating multi-directional anchoring forces that significantly improve strength while maintaining manageable complexity.
2Reliability
If a cylindrical body with grooves and suture holes is used, then the suture anchoring stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated cylindrical body: the grooves provide suture retention, the suture holes allow suture passage, the driver portion enables insertion and rotation, and the head portion augments the articular surface. This consolidation achieves high reliability while minimizing the number of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical body serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as the anchor structure, the groove formation provides suture engagement surfaces, the head portion provides articular surface augmentation, and the driver portion enables both insertion and rotational securing. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the sophisticated geometry.
3Reliability
If the body is rotated within the mating cavity, then the suture anchoring is secured, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with grooves and suture holes in specific orientations before insertion. The driver portion is designed with corresponding engagement features that automatically align with the grooves upon insertion, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during operation while ensuring secure rotational anchoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for repairing a human joint by suturing biological tissue to the articular surface of a bone at the joint (e.g., repairing defects in the humerus at the glenoid joint after an anterior shoulder dislocation) are described herein. Biological tissue may include hard tissue such as bone or a joint socket or soft tissue such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons, or muscle tissue.