Soft Suture Anchor With Knotless Loops for Weak Bone Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical suture constructs face challenges in achieving strong fixation, particularly in less quality bone, and require multiple knot-tying steps that can complicate and weaken the repair process.

Innovation Solution

A surgical construct featuring a soft anchor with a sheath and flexible strands that form adjustable, tensionable, knotless loops, allowing for improved fixation strength and reduced passing steps, especially in less quality bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional suture constructs with knots are used, then fixation can be achieved, but the repair process becomes complicated and fixation strength is reduced due to multiple knot-tying steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidcomplexity of repair process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the knot-tying steps from the traditional suture construct, replacing them with a knotless anchor system where the suture is secured within the anchor body itself, thereby simplifying the repair process while maintaining or improving fixation strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor serves as an intermediary device that replaces the function of knots by providing internal suture retention mechanisms, allowing the suture to be secured without external knot-tying operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If traditional anchors are used in less quality bone, then fixation is attempted, but fixation strength is insufficient due to poor bone quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strength in less quality boneVSAvoidreliability of fixation in less quality bone

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the anchor design parameters including the sheath configuration and suture passing technique to create a washer-like distribution of forces, changing how loads are transmitted to the bone and improving fixation reliability in less quality bone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The construct combines the anchor sheath, flexible strands, and tissue in a composite system where the interaction between components creates a tensionable, self-locking mechanism that enhances fixation strength in compromised bone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If multiple passing steps are used in traditional constructs, then suture can be secured, but the number of steps increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of repair processVSAvoidease of performing repair

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suture is pre-configured within the anchor during manufacturing or preparation, with the flexible strands already positioned to form loops or secure configurations, eliminating the need for multiple intraoperative passing steps and improving surgical efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260060667A1Soft Anchor Constructs and Methods of Tissue Repairs

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

Surgical anchor constructs, fixation devices, and methods for tissue repairs are disclosed. A soft suture anchor has a cannulated sheath (that is fixed in bone) and at least one flexible strand attached to the sheath. Free ends of the flexible strand are passed through the lumen and the body of the sheath in different directions and for multiple times, to each form at least one splice and a plurality of adjustable, flexible, tensionable, knotless loops extending around and through the cannulated sheath.