Suture Anchor With Compressible Distal Tip for Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as screws, staples, and suture anchors, lack control over suture tension and dependence on the interface between the anchor and bone, limiting the ability to adjust tension after initial fixation.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor with an elongate cylindrical body featuring a proximal bone-engaging surface and a flexible distal portion that compresses radially inward to lock the suture within an inner lumen, allowing for independent fixation and tension adjustment after initial partial insertion into the bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suture anchor is fully inserted and fixed in the bone before tensioning the suture, then the fixation stability is improved, but the ability to adjust suture tension after fixation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor is divided into two functional segments: a proximal bone-engaging portion with surface features for fixation, and a compressible distal portion that seals the suture. This segmentation allows the proximal portion to provide stable fixation while the distal portion maintains suture adjustability through compression, resolving the contradiction between fixation stability and tension adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal portion of the suture anchor is designed to be compressible rather than rigid. This dynamic property allows the distal portion to change volume and shape during insertion, enabling the suture to be tensioned and adjusted after the anchor is fixed in the bone, while still maintaining secure fixation through the rigid proximal portion.
2Reliability
If the suture anchor has a rigid structure for stable bone engagement, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the ability to compress and lock the suture within the lumen is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor is segmented into a rigid proximal portion for bone engagement and a compressible distal portion for suture sealing. This segmentation allows each portion to have optimized properties: the proximal portion maintains rigidity for stable fixation, while the distal portion provides compressibility for suture locking, reducing the overall device complexity compared to making the entire anchor compressible.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the suture anchor have different mechanical properties: the proximal portion has a rigid structure with bone-engaging surface features, while the distal portion has a compressible structure. This local quality differentiation allows the anchor to simultaneously achieve stable bone engagement and effective suture compression without requiring the entire device to be complex.
3Device complexity
If the suture anchor depends heavily on the interface between the anchor and bone for fixation, then the fixation mechanism is simplified, but the control over suture tension is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation function and suture control function are segmented into different portions of the anchor. The proximal portion provides simplified bone interface fixation, while the compressible distal portion provides independent suture tension control. This segmentation allows both simplified fixation mechanism and improved suture control to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture control function is extracted from the bone interface and placed in the compressible distal portion of the anchor. This extraction allows the bone interface to remain simple while the suture tension control is handled by the separately functioning compressible portion, improving ease of operation without complicating the fixation mechanism.
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
This design provides greater control over suture tension and the ability to adjust it post-fixation, enhancing the stability and effectiveness of soft tissue reattachment procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the distal tip portion is compressible upon insertion into the bone hole and is configured to lock the suture within the inner lumen such that the suture is prevented from sliding
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for fixation of soft tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a suture anchor is provided having an elongate cylindrical body with proximal and distal ends and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The elongate body can be configured so that upon partial insertion into a bone hole, it is securely anchored within the bone hole and a suture extending through the inner lumen is freely slidable. It can also configured so that, upon further insertion into the bone hole, at least a portion of the elongate body compresses to lock the suture within the inner lumen such that the suture is prevented from sliding. In another embodiment, a suture anchor is provided having arms that have an open position for receiving a suture therebetween, and a closed position in which the suture is retained but allowed to slide freely.