Pivotable Anchor Sections for Meniscus Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor arrangements for surgical tissue repair, such as meniscus tears, face issues with tissue stress, anchor displacement, and tissue particle separation during penetration, leading to incomplete healing and anchor retraction when tension is applied to the suture.
Innovation Solution
The anchor arrangement features pivotable anchor sections with a joint, allowing for a compact shape during insertion and an expanded shape post-insertion, preventing retraction, along with a resorbable or shape-memory material for secure fixation and minimization of tissue stress, and a hollow needle with a non-circular cross-section to reduce tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If anchors are placed using a hollow needle with fins, then anchors can be placed in predetermined orientation, but tissue particles are separated from surrounding tissue and displaced by fins during penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into multiple anchor sections (first anchor section, second anchor section) that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the anchor to be compact during insertion and then deploy after insertion, preventing tissue particle separation while maintaining placement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor sections are designed to be dynamically changeable between a compact configuration during insertion and an expanded configuration after insertion. The pivotable sections allow the anchor to adapt its shape, minimizing tissue disruption during penetration while ensuring stable placement orientation.
2Manufacturing precision
If anchors are inserted through hollow needle, then precise placement is achieved, but anchors are pulled back through penetration opening when tension is applied to suture element
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor sections pivot from a compact insertion configuration to an expanded retention configuration after passing through the tissue. This dynamic transformation ensures the anchor retains its position reliably when suture tension is applied, preventing pullback through the penetration opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor sections are designed to deploy in advance against the inner surface of the hollow needle or tissue, creating a mechanical barrier that prevents the anchor from being pulled back through the penetration opening when suture tension is applied.
3Reliability
If anchors have expanded shape after insertion, then anchor stability is improved, but anchor shape complexity increases during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor transitions from a simple compact shape during insertion to a complex expanded shape after insertion. The pivotable sections enable this dynamic shape change, providing high stability when needed while maintaining simplicity during the insertion phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor sections are nested together in a compact configuration during insertion, similar to nested dolls. After insertion, they unfold and expand to provide stable retention, reducing the anchor's profile during insertion while maintaining stability during use.
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
This solution ensures precise, stress-minimized tissue repair with enhanced anchor stability and complete healing by preventing anchor retraction and minimizing tissue damage during the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
The anchors are equipped with deflection elements that allow them to be subjected to at least partial torque during or after insertion. These deflection elements make it possible to apply torque to the anchors while still inside the hollow needle or as they emerge from the needle tip
Implementation Method 2
Alternatively or additionally, at least two anchor sections are manufactured as a single piece and connected to each other via a film hinge
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an anchor arrangement (2) for surgical tissue repair, such as in particular for repair of a meniscus tear (R), having at least one first anchor (4) and one second anchor (6), which are movable along a hollow needle (14) for placement on a tissue to be repaired (G) and connected to each other via a seam element (8). According to the invention, the first anchor (4) and the second anchor (6) each extend between a distal end (22) and a proximal end (24) and form a guide surface (26) on the outside thereof for contacting an inside (28) of a hollow needle (14) at least in part. In addition, there are deflection means (38) on the anchors (4, 6), via which a torque (MD) can be applied at least in part to the anchors (4, 6) during or after setting. According to the invention, at least one of the anchors (4, 6) has at least two anchor sections (50, 52), which are movable relative to each other and which can be pivoted relative to each other between a folded position, in which the guide surface (26) spans a cross-section (Q) deviating from a circular profile, and an unfolded position.