Self-Punching Soft Anchor Inserter for Bone-Safe Percutaneous Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments struggle to insert soft anchors into tissue without fracturing bone and catching soft tissue during percutaneous insertion, particularly in procedures like rotator cuff repairs.

Innovation Solution

A self-punching soft anchor inserter with a distal fork and conical tip that creates a pilot hole in bone while securely inserting a soft anchor, using materials like titanium or resorbable magnesium, and leaves the tip in the hole to reinforce the repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a self-punching tip is used to create a pilot hole in bone, then bone penetration is improved, but bone fracturing may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone penetration capabilityVSAvoidbone fracturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tip geometry parameters are specifically optimized with a conical shape and controlled dimensions to distribute penetration force, reducing stress concentration that causes bone fracturing while maintaining effective bone penetration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The conical shape of the tip provides gradual bone engagement during insertion, cushioning the impact force and preventing sudden bone fracturing while enabling controlled pilot hole creation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If a percutaneous insertion method is used, then surgical access is improved, but soft tissue catching occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidsoft tissue catching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The soft anchor itself acts as a flexible element that can pass through soft tissue without catching, while the conical tip provides the necessary rigidity for bone penetration, creating a hybrid structure that resolves the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The inserter is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid conical tip for bone penetration and a flexible soft anchor for tissue passage and final fixation, allowing each segment to optimize its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a traditional anchor inserter is used, then insertion is simplified, but pilot hole creation causes bone fracturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion processVSAvoidbone fracturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pilot hole creation function and anchor insertion function are merged into a single integrated action through the self-punching tip design, eliminating the need for separate drilling and insertion steps while preventing bone fracturing through controlled geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conical tip is designed to create its own pilot hole during insertion without requiring pre-drilling or separate hole creation instrumentation, making the device self-sufficient while maintaining bone safety through optimized geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260053491A1Self-Punching Soft Anchor Inserter

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

Surgical constructs, assemblies, kits and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A surgical inserter is a soft anchor inserter provided with a distal fork that engages a self-punching tip. The surgical instrument is configured to insert a soft anchor into tissue while the self-punching tip creates a pilot hole without fracturing the bone and without catching soft tissue when inserted percutaneously.