Suture Anchor Eyelet Design for Shallower Bone Hole Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue anchor assemblies for arthroscopic procedures often require longer lengths to secure soft tissue to bone, leading to deeper bone hole preparation, which is more traumatic and increases the risk of anatomical miscontact during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A combination-type anchor assembly with an eyelet formed through both the distal and proximal portions of the tip, allowing the anchor body to partially occlude the eyelet, resulting in a larger suture passage area and a shorter overall assembly length, facilitating shallower bone hole preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the anchor assembly uses a traditional eyelet design in the distal portion only, then the structure is simpler, but the suture passage area is limited and the overall length is longer
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet is extended from the traditional distal portion into the proximal portion of the tip, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the tip to create a larger suture passage area without increasing the overall assembly length. This dimensional extension allows sutures to be passed through both portions of the tip simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body is designed to be inserted over the proximal portion of the tip, with the eyelet effectively nested within the combined structure of the tip and anchor body. This nesting arrangement allows the eyelet to utilize space within the existing assembly configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If the anchor assembly is made longer to accommodate traditional eyelet design, then sufficient suture capacity is achieved, but the bone hole preparation becomes deeper and more traumatic
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall length of the anchor assembly to accommodate more suture, the invention utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the tip by extending the eyelet through both distal and proximal portions. This allows increased suture capacity while maintaining a shorter overall assembly length, thereby reducing bone trauma.
3Length of moving object
If the anchor assembly uses a longer configuration, then sufficient suture length is available, but the risk of anatomical miscontact during surgery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the conflict between suture length and surgical safety by utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the tip to create an extended eyelet through both distal and proximal portions. This provides sufficient suture length for tissue attachment while keeping the overall assembly length short, thereby reducing the risk of anatomical miscontact during surgery.
Data Source
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AI summary
A suture anchor assembly includes an eyelet of a pound-in tip formed through both of a distal portion and a proximal portion of the tip. An anchor body of the assembly is configured to be inserted over the proximal portion of the tip such that it partially occludes the tip eyelet, allowing for a shorter overall total length of the anchor assembly.