One-Way Locking Suture Anchor for Bone Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring systems for securing soft tissue to bone are often unwieldy, unreliable, and require excessive components, making them difficult to implant and adjust during surgical procedures like rotator cuff repair.
Innovation Solution
A compact anchoring system comprising an anchor with a bone retention portion and a suture retention portion, where the suture is routed through passageways and notches to allow one-way locking, enabling secure attachment of soft tissue to bone with minimal components and ease of adjustment during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchoring systems are used, then soft tissue can be attached to bone, but the systems become unwieldy and require excessive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated anchor device. The anchor includes a bone engagement portion for securing to bone and a suture retention portion for securing the suture, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing the number of components while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor device performs multiple functions: it engages with bone through threads or barbs, retains the suture through passageways and notches, and provides one-way locking capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If traditional anchoring systems are used, then soft tissue can be attached to bone, but the systems become difficult to implant and adjust during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The suture retention portion allows the suture to be drawn through in one direction (toward the bone) but prevents backward movement through the one-way locking mechanism formed by the notch and compressed section. This dynamic behavior enables easy adjustment during surgery while ensuring secure fixation once tensioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor device automatically locks the suture in place through the one-way locking mechanism without requiring additional locking steps or tools. The compressed section of the suture engages with the notch to prevent backward movement, providing self-locking functionality that simplifies the surgical procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional anchoring systems are used, then soft tissue can be attached to bone, but the suture length cannot be precisely adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way locking mechanism allows the surgeon to draw the suture through the anchor to achieve the desired length and tension, then automatically locks in that position. This enables precise adjustment of suture length without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for attaching soft tissue to bone includes an anchor, a suture, and a tissue retainer. The anchor may have a threaded tip that engages the bone, and a suture retention portion with passageways arranged such that each of first and second anchor portions of the suture can be drawn through the passageways along only a single direction. The tissue retainer has passageways through which the suture can freely move in either direction. Thus, the anchor and the tissue retainer may be attached to bone and tissue, respectively, and the suture may be drawn to substantially irreversibly draw the bone and tissue together. In alternative embodiments, an anchor may receive only one portion of suture and/or one suture end may be affixed to the anchor. The anchor may alternatively permit free motion of the suture, while the tissue retainer permits passage of the suture along only one direction.