Knotless Suture Anchor with Breakaway Tip for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knotless suture anchors require complex assembly with two separate components and lack bone engagement, complicating manufacturing and fixation in arthroscopic surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece knotless suture anchor with a breakaway distal tip, featuring a thin section connecting a distal and proximal anchor portion, allowing the anchor to break repeatably under force, pinching the repair suture between the anchor portions for secure fixation without knots, and optionally between the anchor and bone tunnel walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a one-piece anchor design is used, then assembly complexity is reduced, but bone engagement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into two functional sections: a distal anchor portion with engagement features (barbs, hooks, or threads) for bone attachment, and a proximal anchor portion for suture compression. The thin section connecting these portions acts as a breakaway feature, allowing the distal portion to remain in the bone tunnel while the proximal portion is compressed onto the suture. This segmentation enables one-piece manufacturing while maintaining bone engagement capability.
2Ease of operation
If a breakaway tip design is used, then suture fixation is simplified, but structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thin section connecting the distal and proximal anchor portions has reduced cross-sectional area compared to the anchor portions themselves. This localized reduction in material creates a controlled weak point that breaks under compression force during suture fixation, while the thicker distal and proximal portions maintain their structural integrity for bone engagement and suture compression respectively.
3Ease of manufacture
If smooth eyelet surface is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but bone tunnel engagement is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into two functional sections: a distal anchor portion with engagement features (barbs, hooks, or threads) for bone attachment, and a proximal anchor portion for suture compression. The thin section connecting these portions acts as a breakaway feature, allowing the distal portion to remain in the bone tunnel while the proximal portion is compressed onto the suture. This segmentation enables one-piece manufacturing while maintaining bone engagement capability.
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
Simplifies assembly, enhances bone engagement through open architecture design, and provides secure suture fixation without the need for arthroscopic knots, promoting better healing and reducing post-operative trauma.
Implementation Method 1
Force from a driver breaks the thin section connecting the distal and proximal anchor portions
Implementation Method 2
the suture is locked... the suture is pinched between the distal and proximal anchor portions, thereby advantageously fixing the repair suture in place
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1H
AI summary
A one-piece knotless suture anchor with a breakaway distal tip is disclosed. The suture anchor includes a thin section connecting a distal anchor portion and proximal anchor portion. The thin section has a cutaway geometry allowing it to break in a repeatable manner. Force from a driver breaks the thin section connecting the distal and proximal anchor portions. The proximal anchor portion slides distally over the elongated member (either distal or proximal to the distal eyelet) and a repair suture is pinched between the distal and proximal anchor portions, or in between the bone tunnel walls and outer diameter of the sleeve, thereby fixing the repair suture in place without tying an arthroscopic knot.