Separate-Eyelet Suture Anchor for Stable Knotless Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knotless suture anchors are complex to use and lack adequate tension, leading to instability and micro-motion in tissue repairs, and they often require pre-drilling of bone holes, which complicates the implantation process.
Innovation Solution
A self-tapping implant system with a first fixation member and a second fixation member, each with dedicated inserters, where the first member forms a bonehole and is secured with a barb, and the second member is inserted to stabilize the suture, allowing for secure fixation without pre-drilling, using materials like PEEK for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current knotless suture anchors are used, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the anchors are overly complex and do not provide adequate tension, resulting in instability and micro-motion between tendon and bone
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor system is divided into separate functional components: a fixation member with barbs for bone engagement, a separate suture retention mechanism, and a deployment instrument. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall system design and reducing complexity compared to integrated knotless anchors.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation member features self-tapping barbs that automatically engage the bone tissue upon insertion, eliminating the need for pre-drilling or complex fixation mechanisms. The suture is retained through a self-locking mechanism that does not require knot tying, providing reliable tension while simplifying the surgical procedure.
2Ease of operation
If current knotless suture anchors are used, then the procedure can be completed, but they lack a reliable self-tapping technique requiring pre-drilling of boneholes
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation member is pre-configured with barbs in a compressed state during manufacturing. During insertion, these barbs automatically expand and engage the bone tissue, eliminating the need for pre-drilling or separate bonehole preparation steps. This preliminary configuration enables direct insertion into bone while saving surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed fixation member performs self-tapping into the bone tissue through its own structural design. The barbs are engineered to penetrate and anchor into bone upon insertion without requiring external assistance from pre-drilled holes or additional fixation tools, thereby simplifying the insertion process and reducing procedural time.
3Strength
If current knotless suture anchors are used, then the repair can be performed, but they do not provide adequate tension resulting in micro-motion that interrupts healing
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation member employs asymmetric barb design where the barbs are oriented and shaped to provide superior engagement in the direction of tensile load. This asymmetric configuration maximizes the holding strength and tension resistance, preventing micro-motion that would disrupt the healing process while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbs feature curved or angled configurations that optimize their engagement with bone tissue under tension. The curved geometry allows the barbs to better conform to the bone surface and distribute loads more effectively, enhancing the overall strength and reliability of the tendon-to-bone fixation during the healing process.
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
The system provides a reliable, reproducible, and stable tissue-to-bone attachment with minimal complexity, ensuring strong and secure healing by minimizing micro-motion and eliminating the need for pre-drilling bone holes.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable portion and the first inserter includes a groove matingly received by the deformable portion, wherein the deformable portion is deformable between a mating position and a release position
Implementation Method 2
the distal tip may be adapted to initiate a bonehole in the bone
Implementation Method 3
at least one tissue engaging feature adapted to engage bone material adjacent the bonehole, such as a barb extending laterally from the proximal end
Data Source
Figure 1A~1G
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~4B
AI summary
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an implant system for securing tissue to bone, including a first fixation member releasably engaged to a first inserter, the first fixation member having a throughbore adapted to accept a filament therethrough and a cannulation extending from a proximal end of the first fixation member to a distal end of the first fixation member, the first inserter positioned through the cannulation and having a distal tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the first fixation member, and a second fixation member releasably engaged to a second inserter different from the first inserter, the second fixation member having a size capable of being positioned within the bonehole.