Soft Anchor Assembly Non-Sliding Strand Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices for attaching tissue to bone, such as suture anchors, face challenges in providing sufficient stiffness and failure strength for musculoskeletal repairs, particularly in conditions like rotator cuff tears, and there is a need for advancements in techniques that can distribute load effectively and facilitate secure tissue reattachment.
Innovation Solution
A soft anchor assembly comprising a sheath and a first flexible strand affixed non-sliding relative to the sheath, with an optional second flexible strand that is slidable, allowing for tensioning and knotless attachment to a knotless anchor, enabling secure fixation of tissue to bone through a combination of medial and lateral rows of fixation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a suture anchor is used to attach tissue to bone, then the tissue can be secured to bone, but the stiffness and failure strength of the repair are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor is divided into multiple components: a body portion inserted into bone, a flexible strand passing through the body, and an intermediate member connected to the strand. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the intermediate member distributing load across multiple stitches to increase overall stiffness and failure strength.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate member is introduced between the flexible strand and the tissue. This intermediate member acts as a load-dispensing mechanism that distributes the load across multiple stitches, increasing the stiffness and maximum failure strength of the repair while maintaining flexibility in the strand.
2Strength
If a flexible strand is used to attach tissue, then the tissue can be secured, but the load distribution and stiffness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible strand system is segmented into multiple stitches passing through the intermediate member and into the tissue. This segmentation allows load to be distributed across multiple attachment points, increasing maximum failure strength while keeping each individual stitch simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate member serves as a load-dispensing intermediary that distributes the load across multiple stitches. This increases the maximum failure strength of the repair without requiring complex stitching patterns or multiple separate anchors.
3Ease of operation
If a knotless anchor is used, then the attachment can be simplified, but the tensioning and load distribution capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member acts as a load-dispensing intermediary that enables effective load distribution across multiple stitches. This maintains the simplicity of knotless attachment while providing the load distribution capabilities needed for strong tissue-to-bone repair.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C~3D
AI summary
A soft anchor assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sheath, a first flexible strand affixed as non-sliding relative to the sheath and a second flexible strand slidable relative to the sheath.