Soft Tissue Repair Anchor Preventing Tendon Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating damaged biological soft tissue, such as tenotomy and biceps tenodesis, often result in undesirable side effects like the 'Popeye Sign' due to tendon retraction, and existing arthroscopic procedures are complex and lengthy, leading to unsightly scars and prolonged recovery.
Innovation Solution
A biological soft tissue implant device with a fastener and anchor system that attaches to the tendon and interacts with bony or soft tissue structures to prevent retraction, maintaining tension and stability after tendon severing, thereby reducing the likelihood of unsightly bulging and shortening recovery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If tenotomy is performed to relieve pain from damaged biceps tendon, then pain relief is achieved, but tendon retraction causes Popeye Sign and unsightly appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The damaged portion of the biceps tendon is severed and removed through the bicipital sheath, extracting the harmful degenerated tissue while preserving the functional tendon attachment to prevent Popeye Sign
Solution Approach 2:
A suture anchor acts as an intermediary device to reattach the severed tendon to the humerus bone, preventing retraction and Popeye Sign while maintaining the benefits of pain relief from tendon release
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biceps tenodesis is performed to prevent Popeye Sign, then tendon retraction is prevented, but the procedure becomes complex and lengthy with prolonged recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure is segmented into distinct steps: tendon release through sheath, suture anchor insertion into humerus, and tendon reattachment. This modular approach simplifies the complex tenodesis procedure and enables arthroscopic performance
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional open surgical tenodesis requiring extensive dissection and manual suturing is replaced with a simplified mechanical suture anchor system that can be deployed arthroscopically, reducing procedure complexity and recovery time
3Stability of the object's composition
If open surgical tenodesis is performed to prevent Popeye Sign, then tendon stability is maintained, but unsightly scars and extended recovery result
Solution Approach 1:
Open surgical approach with extensive soft tissue dissection is replaced by arthroscopic technique using suture anchors, maintaining tendon stability while minimizing soft tissue trauma and enabling faster recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The minimally invasive arthroscopic approach avoids large incisions and visible scarring, preserving skin appearance while achieving the same tendon stabilization outcome as open surgery
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for treating a first biological soft tissue. A biological soft tissue implant is attached to a first damaged biological soft tissue such that the biological soft tissue implant is capable of interacting with a second biological soft tissue or bone to prevent the first biological soft tissue from retracting beyond a predetermined position.