Elastically Deformable Ring Anchors Sutures Without Pre-Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone fixation procedures require predrilling and subsequent removal of drill bits, leading to potential errors such as incorrect insertion angles, which can decrease the holding strength of implanted fixation elements.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an elastically deformable ring with a drill bit, allowing direct placement into a bone without pre-drilling, where the ring's circular shape prevents tilting and can be compressed to pass through drilled holes, coupled with a driver sleeve for secure anchoring of sutures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If predrilling is performed before insertion of fixation element, then the fixation element can be inserted, but insertion angle errors occur reducing holding strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the drill bit and fixation element into a single integrated device. The fixation element is attached directly to the drill bit, allowing the drilling and fixation insertion operations to be performed in one continuous motion along the same trajectory, eliminating angle deviation between separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation element is pre-positioned on the drill bit before the drilling operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that once the drill bit penetrates the bone at the correct angle, the fixation element follows the exact same path and insertion angle, guaranteeing precise angular alignment.
2Productivity
If drill bit is removed after predrilling, then fixation element can be inserted, but multiple operations increase time and error risk
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the drill bit and fixation element into one integrated device, the invention eliminates the need to remove the drill bit between operations. The entire process of creating the hole and inserting the fixation element is completed in one continuous action, reducing operational time and minimizing opportunities for human error.
3Manufacturing precision
If ring is made rigid for stability, then insertion accuracy improves, but ring cannot pass through drilled hole
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is designed with dynamic properties, being elastically deformable to allow it to be compressed during insertion through the drilled hole, and then expanding to its original circular shape once inside the bone cavity. This dynamic behavior allows the ring to adapt to different insertion requirements while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the ring, specifically its cross-sectional dimensions, are changed during the insertion process. The ring transitions from a compressed state with reduced width to accommodate passage through the hole, to an expanded circular state for optimal stability and angle maintenance during fixation element insertion.
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 accurate and secure anchoring of sutures in bones without pre-drilling, reducing the risk of insertion errors and maintaining holding strength, suitable for procedures like ligament or tendon fixation.
Implementation Method 1
the ring is laterally compressible to a smallest width W, wherein a ratio W/D is at least approximately 0.25 and preferably at least 0.3
Implementation Method 2
A substantially circular shape of the ring according to the invention prevents the ring from tilting during insertion thereof into a bore hole in the bone
Implementation Method 3
conventional procedures for the fixation of bones often require predrilling of a bore hole in a target portion of bone using a drill bit
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for anchoring a suture to a bone. The device includes a suture engaged with an elastically deformable ring biased toward an unstressed state in which an outer diameter of the ring is D. The ring is compressible for insertion through a hole in a bone stabilization device having a diameter smaller than the diameter D.