Flipp Tack Pusher Anchor Placement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical methods for ligament reconstruction, such as coracoclavicular ligament augmentation, are invasive and traumatic due to the need for multiple incisions and the use of anchors that are not designed for bone-to-bone fixation, leading to complications like malreduction and implant failure.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising an elongated shaft with an anchor carrying assembly and a plunger that allows for the efficient and minimally invasive placement of an anchor through a bore in a bone, using a beveled edge for secure positioning and a plunger that extends beyond the shaft to push the anchor into the bone, facilitating ergonomic handling and reducing trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical methods with multiple incisions are used for anchor placement, then anchors can be placed in bone, but the procedure becomes highly invasive and traumatic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor fixation reliabilityVSAvoidsurgical trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the anchor placement process into two distinct phases: first inserting the delivery device through a minimal incision, then deploying the anchor through a separate delivery mechanism. This allows the shaft to be inserted percutaneously while the anchor is deployed through the bone bore, reducing surgical trauma while maintaining fixation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a plunger as an intermediary element that transfers force from the delivery device to the anchor. The plunger engages with the anchor's engagement feature and pushes it through the bone bore, enabling anchor deployment without requiring direct manual manipulation or additional incisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If anchors designed for soft tissue connection are used for bone-to-bone fixation, then the procedure is simpler, but the anchors fail to withstand high stress in coracoclavicular augmentation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidanchor load-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is designed with localized features optimized for bone-to-bone fixation: a flanged head for load distribution across the bone surface, a threaded body for secure engagement in the bone bore, and an engagement feature specifically shaped to interface with the plunger. These local adaptations enable the anchor to withstand high coracoclavicular stresses while maintaining procedural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a second access site is created to pass anchors through bone, then anchor placement is achieved, but the procedure becomes more invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor placement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of access sites

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of anchor delivery and bone penetration into a single integrated device. The shaft serves as both the delivery mechanism inserted through the skin and the guide for anchor placement through the bone bore, eliminating the need for separate access sites while maintaining placement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If anchors are pushed through bone using traditional pull-through suture methods, then anchors can be positioned, but multiple incisions and sutures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor positioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of surgical steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional suture-based pull-through mechanism with a direct mechanical push system. The plunger engages with the anchor's engagement feature and applies axial force to push the anchor through the bone bore, eliminating the need for sutures, knots, and multiple incisions while maintaining precise anchor positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9265495B2Flipp tack pusher

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

A device and method for pushing an anchor through a bore in a bone is provided with an elongated shaft, an anchor carrying assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft for carrying an anchor, and a plunger disposed in the elongated shaft. The plunger is movable relative to the elongated shaft. First, threads are attached to the anchor. Then, the anchor is positioned in the anchor fastener, and the elongated shaft is placed next to the bore in the bone. Next, the plunger is inserted into the elongated shaft, and a force is exerted to on the plunger to move it in direction of the distal end of the elongated shaft such that a distal end of the plunger comes into contact with the anchor and pushes the anchor through the bore in the bone. Then, the threads attached to the anchor are pulled to position the anchor.