Knotless Filament Anchoring System for Soft Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional metal or hard polymer fixation devices for soft tissue repair are often large and invasive, requiring significant bone mass and resulting in excessive bone loss, and securing filaments in these devices is a major difficulty.
Innovation Solution
A knotless filament anchoring system using a first filamentary sleeve and a deformable or compressible filament engagement device, such as a sliding knot, to secure a length of filament in tissue, allowing for tensioning and fixation without the need for large bone holes or traditional knots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional metal or hard polymer fixation devices are used, then sufficient strength to withstand tension forces is achieved, but device size becomes large and requires excessive bone mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from metal or hard polymer to filamentary materials with high tensile strength-to-density ratios. This allows achieving the required strength while dramatically reducing the device volume and diameter, enabling minimally invasive implantation through small drill holes without requiring excessive bone mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite filamentary structures combining multiple materials with complementary properties - such as high-strength synthetic filaments combined with bioabsorbable components or coating layers. This composite approach maintains the necessary mechanical strength while reducing overall device volume and enabling gradual integration with surrounding tissue.
2Strength
If traditional metal or hard polymer fixation devices are used, then strength is sufficient, but the drill hole size becomes large causing excessive bone loss
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from rigid metal/polymer materials to flexible filamentary materials with superior specific strength, the device diameter is reduced enough to allow implantation through small drill holes (e.g., 1-2mm vs. larger traditional holes), thereby minimizing the removal of healthy bone tissue and reducing the size of the repair site.
3Volume of moving object
If filamentary fixation devices are used to reduce device size, then bone invasion is minimized, but securing the filament becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filamentary device incorporates self-securing mechanisms where the filament itself forms locking structures such as knots, loops, or interlocking configurations that automatically secure it within the bone tunnel and to the soft tissue. The filament's own flexibility and tensile properties enable it to lock into place without requiring separate anchoring components or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The filament is divided into functional segments - anchoring segments with knots or loops for bone engagement, mid-section segments for tension transmission, and tissue attachment segments for soft tissue securing. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall installation process.
4Strength
If traditional fixation devices are used, then anchoring strength is achieved, but the devices are large and invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the dimensional parameters of the fixation device by using filamentary construction with diameters measured in fractions of a millimeter compared to millimeter-scale traditional devices. This parameter change enables minimally invasive percutaneous or arthroscopic implantation through small incisions and small drill holes, reducing surgical trauma while maintaining anchoring strength through the filament's high tensile properties and securement mechanisms.
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 system enables secure fixation of filaments in soft tissue with reduced bone invasion and the ability to maintain consistent tension, facilitating healing while minimizing the risk of knot-related complications.
Implementation Method 1
The filament engagement device may be at least one of deformable or compressible upon application of force by the filament
Implementation Method 2
The filament engagement device may be at least one of deformable or compressible upon application of force by the filament
Implementation Method 3
The passageway is dimensioned to allow slidable movement therein of a length of filament
Implementation Method 4
a portion of the length of filament is slidable within the pathway when the pathway is in the first configuration and is restricted from sliding when the pathway is in the second configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securing a length of filament in working communication with tissue. The system includes a first filamentary sleeve having a length along a longitudinal axis and a passageway therethrough. The passageway is dimensioned to allow slidable movement therein of a length of filament. Also included within the system is and a filament engagement device that includes a pathway. The pathway has a first configuration and second configuration, wherein a portion of the length of filament is slidable within the pathway when the pathway is in the first configuration and is restricted from sliding when the pathway is in the second configuration.