Dual-Material Suture Anchor for Bone In-Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors lack sufficient engagement and pull-out strength when installed in bone holes, necessitating a solution that enhances tissue integration and mechanical stability.
Innovation Solution
A cannulated suture anchor with a dual-material design, where the proximal section is made of a biologic material promoting tissue ingrowth and the main section is formed from a biocompatible material, such as bioabsorbable PLLA or PEEK, with outwardly extending threads and an inwardly tapered portion to facilitate secure bone integration and anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single-material suture anchor is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tissue integration and pull-out strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor employs a dual-material construction where the proximal section is made of a biologic material (such as cortical bone or porous material) that promotes tissue in-growth, while the main section is made of a biocompatible material (such as bioabsorbable PLLA or nonabsorbable PEEK). This composite material approach enables both enhanced tissue integration and maintained structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the suture anchor are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functions: the proximal section uses biologic material optimized for tissue in-growth and integration, while the main section uses biocompatible material optimized for structural support and anchoring. This local differentiation of material quality allows the device to achieve superior overall performance without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If the proximal section is made of biologic material to promote tissue in-growth, then tissue integration is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The use of composite materials with distinct functional zones (biologic proximal section for tissue integration, biocompatible main section for structural support) enables reliable tissue integration while maintaining manufacturability through established composite manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture anchor is segmented into two distinct material sections that can be manufactured separately using appropriate processes for each material type, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing approach compared to attempting to create a homogeneous complex material.
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
The dual-material design improves tissue integration and pull-out strength by promoting bony ingrowth and vascularization, enhancing the anchor's engagement with the bone while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the risk of torsional loads during insertion.
Implementation Method 1
The proximal section is formed of a material configured to promote tissue in-growth from tissue surrounding the suture anchor
Implementation Method 2
the main section includes an inwardly tapered portion near the distal end
Implementation Method 3
the cannulated anchor body has outwardly extending threads
Data Source
AI summary
A suture anchor for tissue repair that has a proximal section and a main section where the proximal and main sections are formed of different materials. The proximal section is formed of a material that promotes in-growth from the surrounding tissue.