Soft Braided Tissue Anchor for Small-Hole Bone Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic and surgical procedures face challenges with anchoring devices that require large bone holes, risk of device loosening, MRI incompatibility, and complex suture management, particularly in endoscopic surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A tissue repair system using soft, flexible anchoring implants preloaded into a delivery mechanism, which expand radially upon deployment to anchor within bone or soft tissue, facilitated by a biaxial braid structure that shortens axially and expands radially with suture tensioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional anchoring devices (polymers, metal, biodegradable compounds) are used, then strong bone fixation is achieved, but large holes are required in bone and risk of device loosening occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone fixation strengthVSAvoidimplantation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a soft, flexible anchoring implant constructed from braided material that can be compressed into a thin profile for insertion through a needle, then expands within the bone cavity to provide anchoring strength. This flexible construction allows passage through small holes while maintaining fixation capability upon deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring implant transitions from a compressed, flexible state during insertion to an expanded, rigid state upon deployment. The braided structure dynamically changes its configuration when tension is applied via sutures, transforming from a compressible profile to an expanded anchoring structure that provides strong bone fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If hard anchoring devices are used, then strong fixation is achieved, but risk of device loosening and joint complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring implant is constructed from composite braided material that combines flexibility with tensile strength. The braided structure provides a composite construction that is both soft enough to be inserted through small holes and strong enough to provide reliable bone fixation without loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If metal anchoring devices are used, then strong fixation is achieved, but MRI scatter occurs making follow-up inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidMRI interference

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If multiple sutures are used for soft tissue to bone fixation, then repair strength is improved, but procedure time increases and skill requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair strengthVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sutures into a single integrated suture construct that is pre-attached to the anchoring implant. This merging of multiple sutures into one unified structure allows the surgeon to place and tension all sutures simultaneously through a single insertion site, dramatically reducing procedure time and skill requirements while maintaining repair strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sutures are pre-attached to the anchoring implant during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the surgeon to individually attach multiple sutures during the procedure, reducing both time and complexity while ensuring proper tension distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

5Ease of operation

If endoscopic knot tying is performed, then minimally invasive repair is achieved, but skill requirement and difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive capabilityVSAvoidknot tying complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring implant is designed to self-anchor through expansion when sutures are tensioned. The braided structure automatically transforms from a compressed insertion profile to an expanded anchoring profile without requiring complex knot tying or manual manipulation within the joint, enabling minimally invasive placement while eliminating complex endoscopic knot tying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system reduces invasive procedures, avoids joint complications, ensures MRI compatibility, and simplifies suture management, providing stronger bone fixation and improved repair predictability.

Implementation Method 1

a biaxial braid structure that shortens axially and expands radially with suture tensioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiaxial braid deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS12465348B2Tissue repair assembly

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 ARTHROCARE CORP

AI summary

A tissue repair assembly for attachment of tissue to bone or tissue to tissue having a soft anchoring implant 100 with a length of suture 120 there through for tensioning the implant and facilitating attachment of other tissue. The implant 100 is a soft, flexible, three-dimensional structure that has a resident volume 200. An inserter tube 310 facilitates the placement of the implant 100 into bone or adjacent soft tissue where it may be deployed. Upon deployment, the soft anchoring implant 100 shortens axially and expands radially, achieving a larger diameter than the hole through which it was placed, thus resisting pull out.