Soft Anchor Deploying from Insertion to Locking State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for attaching soft tissues like ligaments or muscles to bones often rely on rigid or flexible anchors, which may not provide sufficient stability or flexibility, particularly in repairing torn tissues such as a labrum.
Innovation Solution
A suture system featuring a suture strand with unidirectional locking devices and a soft anchor that deploys from a first insertion state to a second locking state, allowing for secure attachment of tissues to bones with enhanced flexibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid anchors are used for suture attachment, then stability is improved, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is designed to transition from a compressed low-profile state during insertion to an expanded stable state after implantation. The body can deform elastically between these states, providing both flexibility during insertion and stability during use. This dynamic transformation allows the anchor to adapt to different surgical phases while maintaining both flexibility and stability requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible anchors are used for suture attachment, then flexibility is improved, but stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor utilizes elastic deformation to achieve a low-profile compressed state for flexible insertion, then transitions to an expanded rigid state for stable anchoring. This dynamic state change allows the same structure to provide both flexibility during delivery and stability during function, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor's physical parameters (shape, volume, rigidity) are changed between insertion and operational phases. During insertion, the anchor is compressed to a smaller volume with lower rigidity for flexibility. After implantation, it expands to a larger volume with higher rigidity for stability. This parameter transformation allows the anchor to satisfy both flexibility and stability requirements at different stages.
3Ease of operation
If the anchor is designed for easy insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but anchoring strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is delivered in a compressed low-profile state that facilitates easy insertion through small incisions and narrow delivery catheters. Once implanted, the anchor expands to a larger configuration that provides superior anchoring strength. This dynamic transformation enables both easy insertion and strong anchoring without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body is designed to nest within itself or within the delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing compact delivery. After deployment, the nested structure expands outward to engage the tissue firmly, providing strong anchoring. This nesting principle enables the anchor to transition from a compact insertable form to a robust anchored form.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a suture for connecting a human or animal tissue comprising a suture strand, wherein at least two protrusions are provided on the suture strand, the protrusions are provided spaced apart from each other along the suture strand. Also described herein is a soft anchor, the soft anchor having a proximal end and a distal end in an insertion direction. At the proximal end and the distal end the soft anchor includes respectively at least one opening for a suture. The proximal end and the distal end of the soft anchor are connected with at least one, in particular two, connecting portions. The soft anchor has a first state, in which it is adapted to be inserted into a bore in the insertion direction, and a second state, in which it is locked in a bore.