Suture Anchor Eyelet Shield Design for Tissue Abrasion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suture anchors face issues with suture detachment due to weak attachment structures, exposure to abrasion, and degradation, particularly in biodegradable materials, which leads to premature failure and tissue abrasion.

Innovation Solution

A fully threaded suture anchor with an insert-molded eyelet shield at the distal end, providing a bearing surface to resist suture cut-through and enhance security, and a ribbed suture anchor with an eyelet shield at the proximal end, both made from biocompatible materials to prevent pull-out and abrasion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the eyelet is formed as part of the drive head structure, then suture attachment is enabled, but the drive head mechanical strength is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture attachment securityVSAvoiddrive head strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the suture attachment function from the drive head structure by placing the eyelet at the distal end of the anchor body, away from the drive head. This segmentation allows the drive head to maintain its full mechanical strength while the eyelet provides secure suture attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an eyelet shield as an intermediary component that provides a bearing surface for the suture. This shield is positioned at the distal end and prevents the suture from直接接触 potential abrasion points, thereby protecting the suture without requiring modifications to the drive head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the eyelet extends from the proximal end, then suture attachment is simplified, but tissue abrasion occurs requiring countersinking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture attachment easeVSAvoidtissue abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the eyelet from the proximal end where it would be exposed to tissue and require countersinking, the patent inverts the approach by placing the eyelet at the distal end of the anchor body. This inversion eliminates the tissue abrasion problem while maintaining suture attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The eyelet shield serves as an intermediary bearing surface that protects the suture from abrasion by sharp or rough areas along the bone canal walls. The shield is positioned to intercept potential abrasion points before the suture can contact them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If biodegradable material is used for the anchor, then biocompatibility is improved, but the eyelet degrades rapidly causing premature suture detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoideyelet durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite construction where the anchor body is made of biodegradable material for biocompatibility, while the eyelet shield is made of non-biodegradable or more durable material to prevent premature degradation. This composite approach allows each component to have optimal material properties for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material qualities to different parts of the anchor. The distal portion containing the eyelet shield uses material with superior durability and resistance to degradation, while the rest of the anchor body uses biodegradable material. This local differentiation of material properties solves the contradiction between biocompatibility and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If recessed grooves are added to protect suture and facilitate driver mating, then suture protection is improved, but drive head diameter must increase to maintain strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture protectionVSAvoiddrive head diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the suture protection function from the drive head structure by placing the eyelet shield at the distal end. This extraction eliminates the need for recessed grooves in the drive head, allowing the drive head to maintain its original diameter and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP1762186B1Suture anchor with eyelet

Publication Date: 2011.02.16 ARTHREX INC

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AI summary

A threaded suture anchor (1) with an eyelet shield (9) transversely molded at a distal end (11) of the anchor body (3), over which one or more strands of suture (5, 7) is looped. The anchor body (3) is threaded and has a tapered distal portion. The proximal end portion of the suture anchor body (3) has a polygonally shaped opening (15) to accept a polygonal drive head, preferably hexagonal or square. The peripheral surface defining polygonally shaped opening is rounded and smooth to prevent abrading sutures placed in contact therewith. In another embodiment, a push-in anchor is provided with an eyelet shield at the proximal end of the anchor.