Soft Suture Anchor Structure for Predictable Bone Hole Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors struggle to provide reliable retention capacity in a variety of substrates and under complex installation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A soft anchor made entirely of braided or monofilament suture or suture tape, featuring a fibrous construct with filaments that expand in diameter upon deployment, creating a retention capacity by displacing cancellous tissue and engaging the cortical layer of bone or soft tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suture anchors with ridged members, barbs, or screw threads are used to create retention capacity, then the anchor can engage the substrate through piercing, cutting, and/or deforming, but the reliability of retention capacity varies significantly depending on tissue quality and installation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of anchor construction from rigid materials with mechanical engagement features to soft, compliant suture material that relies on friction and tissue deformation. This parameter change allows the anchor to adapt to varying tissue qualities without relying on precise mechanical engagement, thereby improving reliability across different installation conditions and tissue types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs soft suture material that can deform and conform to the tissue substrate, creating a flexible anchor that adapts to the specific geometry and properties of the tissue. This flexibility allows the anchor to maintain retention capacity across varying tissue qualities and installation conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If soft suture anchors are used to provide reliable retention capacity, then the anchor can adapt to different tissue qualities, but the anchor diameter must be increased to create sufficient retention capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from relying on anchor diameter (one dimension) to create retention capacity through mechanical engagement, to utilizing the third dimension of tissue depth and the frictional interface between the suture material and tissue walls. This dimensional shift allows sufficient retention capacity with a smaller anchor diameter while maintaining adaptability across tissue qualities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical engagement system (ridged members, barbs, screw threads that require large diameter for sufficient engagement) with a friction-based system using soft suture material. This substitution allows the anchor to achieve retention capacity through surface friction and tissue deformation rather than mechanical interlocking, reducing the required anchor diameter while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct. The anchor can be inserted into a bone hole and deployed.