All-Suture Anchor Expansion for Stronger Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suturing methods for reattaching soft tissues to bones, such as in hip, shoulder, and rotator cuff repairs, face challenges in providing secure and efficient anchoring, particularly in partial or complete tissue detachments.
Innovation Solution
A suturing system comprising an anchor with multiple inserts that transition from a linear insertion configuration to a nonlinear deployed configuration, facilitated by a suture inserter device with a housing and inserter fork, allowing for enhanced anchoring by expanding to fit securely within bone holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional suture anchor is used, then the anchoring is simple to insert, but the pull-out strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into multiple separate inserts (typically three) that can be independently inserted into the bone. Each insert acts as an individual anchoring element, and collectively they provide superior pull-out strength compared to a single-piece anchor. The segmentation allows each insert to be optimally sized and shaped for maximum bone engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor inserts are designed to transition from a compressed, linear insertion configuration to an expanded, nonlinear deployed configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the inserts to be easily inserted in a compact form and then expand within the bone hole to engage the bone walls, maximizing anchoring strength without requiring excessive insertion force.
2Reliability
If the anchor expands to fit securely within bone holes, then the anchoring stability is improved, but the insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor inserts are designed to transition from a compressed, linear insertion configuration to an expanded, nonlinear deployed configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the inserts to be easily inserted in a compact form and then expand within the bone hole to engage the bone walls, maximizing anchoring strength without requiring excessive insertion force.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor inserts are pre-compressed into a compact linear configuration that fits within the inserter device. This preliminary compression allows the inserts to be delivered through a narrow bore in a single motion, and the expansion occurs automatically or with minimal force after insertion, ensuring reliable anchoring without complex insertion maneuvers.
3Strength
If multiple anchor inserts are used, then the pull-out strength is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple anchor inserts that would traditionally be separate components are merged into a single integrated assembly. The inserts are coupled together and pre-compressed into a unified linear configuration that fits within a single inserter device, simplifying the insertion process while maintaining the cumulative pull-out strength of multiple inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is divided into multiple separate inserts (typically three) that can be independently inserted into the bone. Each insert acts as an individual anchoring element, and collectively they provide superior pull-out strength compared to a single-piece anchor. The segmentation allows each insert to be optimally sized and shaped for maximum bone engagement.
4Strength
If the anchor transitions from linear to nonlinear configuration, then the bone engagement is improved, but the insertion precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor inserts are pre-compressed into a compact linear configuration that fits within the inserter device with precise tolerances. This preliminary preparation ensures that the inserts are positioned correctly before insertion, and the transition to the expanded nonlinear configuration occurs automatically after insertion, reducing the precision requirements during the actual insertion maneuver.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor inserts are designed to transition from a compressed, linear insertion configuration to an expanded, nonlinear deployed configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the inserts to be easily inserted in a compact form and then expand within the bone hole to engage the bone walls, maximizing anchoring strength without requiring excessive insertion force.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are suturing systems, methods of anchoring to a bone, methods for anchoring a soft tissue to a bone, and methods of anchoring a first soft tissue portion to a second soft tissue portion. An exemplary suturing system includes an anchor and a suture inserter device. The anchor includes a plurality of anchor inserts coupled to a portion of the suture between a first end and second end of the anchor. The anchor has an insertion configuration that is substantially linear and a deployed configuration that is at least partially nonlinear. The suture inserter device includes a housing comprising a housing lumen and a housing shaft disposed therein, and an inserter fork coupled to the housing shaft. The housing shaft is axially translatable, and the inserter fork is axially translatable, via the housing shaft, between a distal position and a proximal position.