Expandable Suture Anchor for Bone Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suture anchors face challenges in reliably securing soft tissue to bone without invasive procedures, requiring separate tapping steps and lacking protection for sutures during insertion, and struggle to balance small size for ease of delivery with large size for substantial tissue purchase.

Innovation Solution

A suture anchor with a distal portion for penetration, a wing for stabilization, and a body that expands or telescopes upon placement, combined with a method of driving, rotating, and backfilling with a biocompatible substance to enhance anchoring in bone, ensuring secure fixation and protection of sutures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If push-in type anchors are used to eliminate the tapping step, then the insertion process is simplified, but the reliability of anchor setting in all bone types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion processVSAvoidanchor setting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is divided into distinct functional segments: a sharp distal tip for initial penetration, a body portion with expansion features for anchoring, and a proximal portion for suture attachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the tip penetrates easily while the body provides reliable anchoring through expansion mechanisms that adapt to different bone densities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor design incorporates variable geometric parameters along its length, including changes in diameter, wall thickness, and surface texture. The distal portion has a smaller diameter and sharper geometry for penetration, while the body portion expands with increased diameter and surface area for reliable anchoring. These parameter changes enable the single push-in device to effectively handle various bone types without requiring separate tapping steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the anchor size is made small for ease of delivery, then the delivery process is simplified, but the tissue purchase capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor sizeVSAvoidtissue purchase

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor employs a telescoping or nested structure where the body portion can expand outward from a compact delivery configuration to a deployed anchoring configuration. During delivery, the anchor maintains a small profile that fits within the delivery instrument. Upon deployment, the body portion expands radially or longitudinally to increase its footprint and engagement surface area with the bone, thereby providing substantial tissue purchase without compromising ease of delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor transitions from a static small size during delivery to a dynamic expanded state during anchoring. The design incorporates movable or expandable elements that allow the anchor to change its dimensions - the body portion can expand radially to increase surface area for tissue purchase, or extend longitudinally to increase engagement depth. This dynamic size change enables the anchor to be delivered through small incisions while providing robust anchoring strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional anchors are used without suture protection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sutures are damaged during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidsuture damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor design incorporates an intermediary protective structure between the suture and the harsh insertion environment. This may include a suture channel or groove that shields the suture from abrasion against bone surfaces, or a protective coating on the anchor surface that prevents direct contact between the suture and rough bone. The intermediary element adds minimal complexity to the device while effectively preventing suture damage during the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If screw-in anchors are used for secure fixation, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the insertion process requires additional invasive steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidinsertion procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor design merges the penetration function and anchoring function into a single integrated device and procedure. The distal tip provides sharp penetration capability to initiate insertion without requiring separate drilling or tapping steps, while the body portion incorporates expansion or engagement features that provide secure anchoring strength similar to screw-in anchors. By combining these functions in one push-in action, the design achieves strong fixation while simplifying the insertion procedure and reducing invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9364212B2Suture anchoring devices and methods for use

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 TELEFLEX LIFE SCIENCES LLC

AI summary

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. An implant for attachment of soft tissue to bone, an insertion tool for anchoring suture anchors to bone, and a method for anchoring a suture anchor to bone.