Soft Anchor Sheath for Bone Tendon Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing soft tissue to bone in reconstructive surgeries, such as tendon repairs, often require metallic anchors that are visible on X-rays and necessitate larger drill holes, lacking efficient and minimally invasive solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of a soft anchor system comprising a sheath and tensionable constructs with shuttling sutures that allow for the secure attachment of soft tissue to bone without metal, enabling a smaller tunnel size and invisible X-ray presence, utilizing shuttling devices like FiberLink™ sutures for distal biceps tendon repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic anchors are used to secure soft tissue to bone, then the repair strength is improved, but the drill hole size increases and X-ray visibility is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metallic to soft tissue-compatible materials (such as polyethylene or other biomaterials), allowing the anchor to be made smaller while maintaining sufficient repair strength through optimized structural design rather than material density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a soft anchor construct that can be inserted through a smaller drill hole and conforms to the bone anatomy, replacing rigid metallic anchors with a flexible soft-tissue-based structure that achieves fixation without requiring large bone tunnels
2Strength
If metallic anchors are used to secure soft tissue to bone, then the repair strength is improved, but X-ray visibility is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metallic component from the anchor system, removing the source of X-ray visibility while retaining the functional aspects of bone fixation through soft tissue-based materials that are radiolucent
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from metal to radiolucent biomaterials, fundamentally altering the radiological properties of the anchor while maintaining its mechanical function through design optimization
3Reliability
If conventional anchors are used, then the tissue attachment is secure, but the tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to soft, biocompatible materials that match the mechanical properties of surrounding soft tissue, reducing stress concentration and tissue damage while maintaining secure attachment through optimized anchor geometry and surface characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing the anchor to conform to the specific anatomical geometry of the insertion site, with varying structural characteristics in different regions of the anchor to optimize both tissue attachment and minimize damage to surrounding structures
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical constructs and methods of soft tissue repairs. A tendon is approximated to bone with a surgical construct in the form of a soft anchor that includes a soft anchor sheath and shuttling sutures passed through the soft anchor sheath. The soft anchor sheath loaded with the shuttling sutures is inserted either unicortically or bicortically. Suture limbs extending from sutured tendon are passed/shuttled through the sheath by employing the shuttling sutures. The tendon is secured into or onto the bone. The suture limbs may be passed through the soft anchor sheath in various directions and/or orientations and/or locations.