Segmented Suture Anchor with Flexible Strand for Curved Instrument Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors face difficulties in being easily inserted through curved instruments while maintaining strength, especially when reattaching soft tissues to bone in small joints, and require minimal knot tying.
Innovation Solution
A segmented suture anchor with multiple body segments connected by a strand of material, allowing easy passage through curved instruments and forming a closed loop or eyelet for additional suture strands to aid in tissue fixation, utilizing materials like FiberWire suture or nitinol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If suture anchors are made with conventional solid structure to maintain strength, then fixation strength is improved, but difficulty in passing through curved instruments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor body is divided into multiple segments (at least two) that can flex relative to each other along a strand of material. This segmentation allows the anchor to bend and conform to curved instrument pathways while maintaining its fixation strength when deployed in the bone hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body incorporates flexible elements including a strand of material (such as FiberWire suture or nitinol) that connects the segments, allowing the anchor to flex and bend during insertion through curved instruments while maintaining structural integrity for fixation.
2Ease of operation
If suture anchors are made short or undersized to pass through curved instruments, then ease of operation is improved, but fixation strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the anchor body and allowing flexion between segments, the anchor can pass through curved instruments in a compact, flexible state while expanding to full size and strength when deployed in the bone hole for fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor transitions from a flexible, bendable state during insertion to a rigid, strength-providing state when deployed. The flexible strand and segmented structure enable dynamic adaptation during insertion, while the anchor maintains full fixation strength once positioned in the bone.
3Reliability
If knot tying is required for soft tissue reattachment, then secure fixation is achieved, but surgical complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor incorporates a closed loop or eyelet formed by the strand of material that automatically provides a secure attachment point for sutures. This self-forming structure eliminates the need for complex knot tying procedures while maintaining secure fixation of soft tissue to bone.
Data Source
AI summary
A segmented suture anchor for fixation of soft tissue to bone. The segmented suture anchor is formed of multiple body segments that allow the suture anchor to be inserted and passed through a curved instrument such as a curved cannulated guide. At least two of the multiple body segments are connected by a strand of material (for example, a flexible suture strand, a suture tape, nitinol strand, or high-strength suture). The strand of material may be attached to the anchor by a connecting region (for example, a bonded or knotted region). The strand of material may also form a closed loop or eyelet attached to the suture anchor, to allow additional suture strands to be loaded through the closed loop or eyelet and aid in the fixation of soft tissue.