Soft Suture Anchor Cinching Mechanism for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal suture anchors for orthopedic surgeries pose risks such as bone fracture, anchor breakage, and dislodgement, and nonmetallic soft anchors often fail to secure due to insufficient friction, leading to repeated procedures and increased surgery time.
Innovation Solution
A soft suture anchor system utilizing a braided suture construct with a cinching suture that forms a ball shape within a pilot hole in the bone, providing secure fixation and reducing the risk of anchor dislodgement through frictional engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal suture anchors are used, then anchor strength and fixation reliability are improved, but bone fracture risk and anchor breakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to soft material (suture graft), fundamentally altering the mechanical properties of the anchor. This allows the anchor to be flexible and adaptable to bone geometry while maintaining sufficient fixation strength, eliminating the risk of bone fracture and anchor breakage associated with rigid metal anchors.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft suture anchor combines multiple suture strands (e.g., two strands of suture graft) to create a composite structure that achieves the necessary mechanical strength through material composition rather than rigid geometry, providing both flexibility and strength.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If nonmetallic soft anchors are used, then bone damage risk is reduced, but anchor security decreases due to insufficient friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent forms the soft suture anchor into a spherical or rounded configuration after insertion. This spherical shape increases the surface area in contact with the bone hole walls and allows the anchor to be cinched down tightly, maximizing frictional engagement and preventing slippage while maintaining soft material benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft suture anchor transitions from a loose, insertable configuration to a cinched, secured configuration after insertion. The dynamic cinching process tightens the suture strands around the spherical anchor, progressively increasing frictional engagement with the bone hole walls to ensure secure fixation.
3Reliability
If soft anchors are inserted and cinched, then anchor security is improved, but surgery time increases due to repeated procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The soft suture anchor is pre-formed into a spherical configuration before insertion, and the cinching mechanism is pre-configured with the suture strands arranged to facilitate easy tightening. This preliminary preparation ensures that the cinching process proceeds smoothly in a single attempt, eliminating the need for repeated insertion and cinching procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture strands are configured to automatically cinch down the spherical anchor when tension is applied, with the strands working together to tighten and secure the anchor in place. This self-cinching mechanism reduces the complexity and time of the securing process compared to manual adjustment methods.
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 soft suture anchor system ensures reliable and firm fixation during the healing period, allowing for smaller pilot holes, closer anchor placement, and reduced risk of bone damage, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The anchor is then partially retracted from the hole, and as the result of friction against the side of the hole, bunches up to form a compact anchor as it is retracted
Data Source
AI summary
A soft anchor construct, having a cross-member suture of braided suture material and a cinching suture that has a first end and a second end. The cinching suture, starting at its first end, extends to the cross-member suture, and engages and traverses the cross-member suture at a first central point and then extends from the first central point to a first lateral point, and engages and traverses the cross-member suture at the first lateral point. The cinching suture then extends from the first lateral point to a second lateral point, opposed to the first lateral point, and engages and traverses the cross-member suture at the second lateral point and then extends from the second lateral point to a second central point and engages and traverses the cross-member suture at the second central point and extends from the second central point to the second end.