Offset Eyelet Suture Anchor Resolving Shear Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture anchors are susceptible to breakage or structural failure around the eyelets, particularly when securing multiple sutures for reattachment of soft tissue to bone, lacking sufficient strength and resistance to shear forces.

Innovation Solution

The development of suture anchors with multiple offset eyelets, each spaced apart along and transverse to the longitudinal axis, providing increased strength and resistance to failure by distributing forces effectively and allowing secure holding of multiple sutures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional suture anchors with eyelets are used to secure multiple sutures, then the anchor can hold soft tissue to bone, but the anchor is susceptible to breakage or structural failure around the eyelets under shear forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to structural failureVSAvoidstrength around eyelets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by offsetting eyelets in three-dimensional space rather than arranging them in a single plane. The eyelets are positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis and offset in transverse directions, creating a three-dimensional distribution pattern that enhances structural integrity while maintaining suture-holding capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the eyelet structure by creating multiple separately positioned eyelets rather than a single continuous eyelet. Each eyelet is independently positioned at offset locations, allowing the load to be distributed across multiple discrete points rather than concentrating stress in one area, thereby reducing the risk of catastrophic failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple eyelets are positioned close together to secure multiple sutures, then the anchor can perform reattachment surgery, but the material around the eyelets is more susceptible to shearing and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to secure multiple suturesVSAvoidresistance to shearing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses three-dimensional offset positioning of eyelets to achieve both multiple suture capability and shear resistance. By distributing eyelets across different longitudinal positions and transverse offsets, the design maintains adaptability for multiple sutures while increasing the material path length and structural resistance to shearing forces between adjacent eyelets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8029536B2Multiple offset eyelet suture anchor

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP

AI summary

A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone may include a threaded body, a head extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of eyelets that extend though the anchor head and that are each configured to receive a suture. The eyelets are offset from one another along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor. Each eyelet may have a desired shape and cross section. Surgical kits including one or more suture anchors and one or more surgical tools are also described.