Hollow Braid Suture Anchor for Knotless Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional suture anchors are large in diameter, requiring significant bone mass for implantation and often necessitate multiple knots for securement, which can lead to weak fixation and complex use during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor device comprising a suture anchor, a first suture with a hollow braid, and a shuttle that allows for secure engagement and tensioning of a second suture within the braid, providing a knotless fixation mechanism for securing soft tissue to bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional suture anchors are made of metal or hard plastic with sufficient material to withstand pulling forces, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the diameter increases and more bone mass is required for implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a hollow braid structure where one suture is nested within another suture. The inner suture passes through the hollow interior of the outer suture's braid, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces the overall diameter while maintaining sufficient material for strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional solid cylindrical anchor to a hollow braided structure. By creating a hollow interior space within the braid, the design reduces material volume in the radial dimension while maintaining tensile strength through the braided structure's geometry and material distribution.
2Strength
If multiple knots are used to secure the suture anchor, then the fixation strength is improved, but the complexity of the procedure and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate sutures and knots into a single integrated hollow braid structure. The hollow braid inherently provides fixation functionality that would traditionally require multiple knots, thereby simplifying the overall device and procedure while maintaining fixation strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the knot-tying function from the traditional multi-knot securing method. By designing the hollow braid structure to provide inherent fixation capability, the need for separate knot-tying operations is eliminated or reduced, simplifying the procedure.
3Volume of moving object
If all-suture anchors are made solely from suture-like material to reduce diameter, then the adaptability for smaller bone holes is improved, but the fixation strength and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining multiple suture materials in a hierarchical arrangement. The hollow braid structure consists of outer and inner suture components working together, creating a composite system that achieves both reduced diameter and enhanced fixation strength through the synergistic interaction of the layered suture materials.
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 device enables secure anchoring of soft tissue to bone with reduced knot requirements and improved ease of use, enhancing the ability to withstand higher forces during surgical repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow braid... secure engagement and tensioning of a second suture within the braid
Data Source
AI summary
A device for securing soft tissue to bone includes a suture anchor, a first suture portion, a second suture portion and a working suture. The suture anchor has a lumen therethrough. The first suture portion has a length extending from a first end to a second end and passes into and out of the lumen over at least part of the length moving toward the second end from the first end. The second suture portion has a length extending from a first end to a second end and is disposed relative to the suture anchor such that at least part of the second suture portion encircles the suture anchor circumferentially around an outer surface of the suture anchor at least one complete rotation. The working suture has a first end operatively connected to at least one of the suture anchor, the first suture portion and the second suture portion.