Intertwined Suture Assembly for Bone Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors face difficulties in securing to bone, including challenges with attachment methods, securing the anchor body, potential failure and migration, inadequate holding power, and limitations in scaling for delicate anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
A novel suture assembly with a U-shaped configuration, comprising two intertwined sutures that can transition from a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted configuration for insertion to a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded configuration for secure anchoring, providing high holding strength without forming knots and allowing for use in small bone holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional suture anchors are used to secure soft tissue to bone, then reliable attachment can be achieved, but the anchors require large bone holes and have limited adaptability to delicate anatomical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The suture assembly is divided into multiple segments including a first suture with U-shaped configuration and a second suture wrapped around it, creating modular components that can be inserted through smaller bone holes while maintaining secure anchoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The second suture is wrapped around the first suture in a nested configuration, allowing the assembly to be compact for insertion through small bone holes while expanding to provide secure anchoring, enabling adaptability to delicate anatomical structures without requiring large bone holes
2Strength
If suture anchors are made rigid for reliable bone securing, then holding power is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of insertion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture assembly transitions from a flexible, easily insertable state to a rigid, load-bearing state after insertion, allowing the system to achieve high holding power without requiring complex rigid structures during insertion, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining strength
3Reliability
If traditional knot-tying methods are used to secure sutures, then reliable attachment is achieved, but the procedure time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second suture is pre-wrapped around the first suture in a specific configuration before insertion, so that the anchoring structure is already prepared and does not require time-consuming knot-tying procedures during surgery, maintaining reliability while reducing procedure time
Solution Approach 2:
The suture assembly self-anchors through the wrapped configuration where the second suture is automatically secured around the first suture upon insertion and expansion, eliminating the need for additional knot-tying actions and reducing operational complexity and procedure time
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for attaching an object to bone, the apparatus comprising:a suture assembly comprising:a first suture having a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm;a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm;the first arm of the second suture being wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction;the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration;wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a hollow tubular structure.