Soft Tissue Bone Anchor Clip Structure for Controlled Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture anchors for attaching soft tissue to bone face challenges such as the soft tissue end catching on the hole during deployment and sliding away from the anchor, leading to poor control and positioning of the tissue.
Innovation Solution
A non-threaded anchor with a deflectable clip and spine configuration that guides and shields the soft tissue end, along with an inserter instrument providing orientation cues, ensures controlled insertion and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push-in style suture anchor is used to re-attach soft tissue to bone, then the anchor can be easily inserted into the bone hole, but the soft tissue end tends to catch on the hole edge and slide away from the anchor during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the anchor with a tissue retainer and tissue engagement features before insertion. The retainer is positioned to receive and hold the tissue end in advance, preventing it from catching on the hole edge during deployment. This preliminary preparation ensures the tissue remains controlled throughout the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure - the tissue retainer with its engagement features - that mediates between the soft tissue end and the bone hole edge. This intermediary component prevents direct contact between the tissue and the potentially harmful hole edge, allowing smooth insertion while maintaining tissue control and positioning reliability.
2Strength
If the soft tissue is tied to the suture anchor before insertion, then the tissue can be securely attached, but the tissue cannot be adjusted once the anchor is driven into bone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the tissue retainer with movable or adjustable engagement features that allow the tissue position to be modified after anchor insertion. The retainer can be repositioned or adjusted within the bone hole, enabling both secure attachment and post-insertion adjustment of tissue positioning, thus providing adaptability while maintaining strength.
3Strength
If the soft tissue is pulled against the suture anchor during tying, then the tissue can be secured, but the tissue flowers out and creates a bulbous end that causes it to slide away from the anchor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible tissue retainer structure that conforms to and contains the soft tissue end. This flexible shell-like component prevents the tissue from flowering out by providing a confining geometry that maintains a streamlined shape, allowing secure attachment without creating a bulbous end that would cause sliding.
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 solution provides improved control over soft tissue during insertion, reducing the risk of tissue catching on bone edges and enhancing the stability and alignment of the anchor within the bone socket.
Implementation Method 1
a deflectable clip extending proximally from a side of the nose opposite the spine
Implementation Method 2
The deflectable clip and a portion of the spine defines a guide region configured to accommodate and shield a leading end of a soft tissue
Implementation Method 3
The spine has an outer bone engaging surface
Implementation Method 4
at least one bone engaging barb formed on the outer bone engaging surface
Implementation Method 5
the at least two suture holes can be configured to receive an operative suture to maintain the leading end of the soft tissue
Implementation Method 6
a plurality of pairs of deflectable wings extending from the lateral sides of the spine
Implementation Method 7
each wing having a portion that extends above and beyond the tissue seating surface of the spine
Data Source
AI summary
Anchors for anchoring soft tissue to bone are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an anchor can include a non-threaded, asymmetric anchor body having a distal nose and a spine extending proximally from one side of the distal nose, and a deflectable clip extending proximally from a side of the nose opposite the spine. The spine defines a back surface of the anchor body. The spine has an outer bone engaging surface, an inner tissue seating surface opposite the outer bone engaging surface, and opposed lateral sides. The deflectable clip and a portion of the spine defines a guide region configured to accommodate and shield a leading end of a soft tissue to be attached to bone. Soft tissue anchoring systems and methods for inserting an anchor into bone are also provided.