Flexible Anchor Shape Change for Bone Tissue Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for attaching soft tissue to bone often require the use of rigid, non-flexible anchors, which can be invasive and not suitable for all anatomical areas, necessitating a need for tissue repair techniques that do not rely on these anchors.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using flexible anchors that can change shape to form an anchoring mass within a bore in the bone, secured by a suture construct with self-locking adjustable loops, allowing for tension to be applied to secure the soft tissue relative to the bone without the need for rigid anchors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid, non-flexible anchors are used to attach soft tissue to bone, then fixation strength is achieved, but bone disruption increases and invasiveness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidbone disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible anchors made from biocompatible materials that can be inserted in a compressed state and then expand within the bone tunnel to provide secure fixation. This flexibility allows the anchor to adapt to the bone geometry without requiring excessive bone removal, thereby maintaining fixation strength while reducing bone disruption compared to rigid anchors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible anchor undergoes a parameter change from a compressed insertion state to an expanded deployed state within the bone tunnel. This transformation allows the anchor to achieve its full fixation capacity after insertion, providing strength comparable to rigid anchors while minimizing the initial bone disruption required for insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If rigid, non-flexible anchors are used to attach soft tissue to bone, then fixation strength is achieved, but the procedure becomes more invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible anchor design allows for minimally invasive insertion through small incisions and narrow bone tunnels. The anchor's flexibility enables it to navigate through tight anatomical spaces without requiring large exposure or extensive bone preparation, thereby reducing procedural invasiveness while maintaining adequate fixation strength for soft tissue attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible anchor can be nested within a delivery device or sheath during insertion, allowing it to be delivered through a minimally invasive approach. Once positioned in the bone tunnel, the anchor is deployed from the delivery device and expands to provide secure fixation, combining ease of minimally invasive delivery with effective fixation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rigid anchors are used, then soft tissue can be secured to bone, but the anchors cannot be used in all anatomical areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical area suitabilityVSAvoidsoft tissue securing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible anchor's ability to bend and conform allows it to be used in anatomical areas with curved or irregular bone surfaces where rigid anchors would not fit properly. The flexibility enables the anchor to adapt to various anatomical geometries while maintaining reliable soft tissue securing capability through its expansion mechanism within the bone tunnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible anchors are used instead of rigid anchors, then bone disruption is minimized and invasiveness is reduced, but fixation strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone disruptionVSAvoidfixation strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible anchor design allows it to expand and engage the bone walls effectively after insertion, creating sufficient friction and mechanical interlocking to provide fixation strength comparable to rigid anchors, despite the minimized bone disruption during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10695045B2Method and apparatus for attaching soft tissue to bone

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 BIOMET SPORTS MEDICINE LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone can include forming a bore in the bone and carrying a flexible suture anchor into the bore. The flexible anchor can include a passage and can be coupled to a suture construct. The suture construct can include at least one self-locking adjustable loop, and the flexible anchor can include a first profile while being carried into the bore. A shape of the flexible anchor can be changed from the first profile to a second profile forming an anchoring mass to retain the flexible anchor in the bore. Tension can be applied to a portion of the suture construct to reduce a size of the self-locking adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue relative to the flexible anchor and the bone.