Felt Tissue Repair Patch With Expandable Bone-Hole Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for repairing torn ligaments, tendons, and intervertebral disc tissue are invasive, complex, and often result in complications such as irritation, inflammation, and high failure rates due to the use of hard anchors and sutures, particularly in arthroscopic or endoscopic surgeries, and lack effective solutions for intervertebral disk tears.
Innovation Solution
A feltable patch with an augmenting section and an anchoring section made of felt material, which can be converted from a base to a deployed configuration using a conversion mechanism, allowing secure anchoring in bone holes through friction or form fit, and includes a knotless fixation mechanism for sutures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard material anchors are used to fix in bone, then anchoring strength is improved, but soft tissue irritation and inflammation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from hard (metal) to soft (felt material), transforming the anchor from a rigid structure to a compliant one that can deform and conform to the bone cavity, thereby maintaining anchoring strength while eliminating soft tissue irritation caused by hard materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining felt material properties - soft yet mechanically strong when compressed - to create an anchor that integrates both soft tissue compatibility and bone anchoring capability in a single material system
2Strength
If surgical sutures are used to fix tendon to bone anchor, then tendon fixation is achieved, but suture cuts through retracting tendon leading to repair failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suture stitching system with a felting system that uses needle penetration and fiber entanglement to attach the augmenting section to the tendon, eliminating the cutting problem inherent in suture-based mechanical fastening
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the attachment mechanism from high-stress concentrated suture points to distributed fiber-level attachment through felting, where numerous fine fibers collectively secure the tendon without creating stress concentration points that would cut through the tissue
3Reliability
If conventional stitching techniques are used for IVD tear repair, then tendon repair is achieved, but surgical complexity and radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal felt-based repair system that can be applied to both tendon/ligament repairs and intervertebral disc tears through the same felting mechanism, eliminating the need for different surgical techniques and reducing overall surgical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the core repair function from complex surgical stitching procedures and isolates it into a simple felting process that can be performed with minimal surgical exposure, thereby reducing radiation exposure and surgical complexity while maintaining repair effectiveness
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for anchoring and fixation, then specialized functions are achieved, but surgical complexity and interface failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anchoring section and augmenting section into a single integrated felt patch component, eliminating multiple interfaces and assembly steps while maintaining both the bone anchoring function and the soft tissue augmentation function within one unified structure
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 patch provides a simpler, less invasive method for repairing torn tissues by preventing further damage and enabling accurate healing, with improved mechanical fixation and reduced risk of complications, suitable for both tendon and intervertebral disc repairs.
Implementation Method 1
The anchoring section is configured to anchor the patch in a bone hole
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a feltable patch (1, 100) for tissue repair. The patch has an augmenting section (20, 120) and an anchoring section (40, 140). The augmenting section and the anchoring section each comprise or consist of a felt material. The anchoring section and the augmenting section are connected to each other. The anchoring section is convertible from a base configuration to a deployed configuration by a conversion mechanism. The conversion mechanism is configured to expand the anchoring section laterally such that the anchoring section, in the deployed configuration, is configured to anchor the patch in a bone hole.