Suture Anchor With Segmented Stopper And Fixing Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices for attaching soft tissue to bone have been inconsistent in coupling strength, durability, and positional adjustability, leading to inadequate performance in various surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of an anchor device with a stopper portion and a fixing portion, featuring threaded, barbed, or vaned features, which securely couples suture material to bone, providing enhanced coupling strength and adjustability through various surface configurations and mechanisms such as detent mechanisms and opposing threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional bone anchor devices are used, then soft tissue can be attached to bone, but coupling strength with surrounding bone substrate matrix is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor device is divided into two distinct functional portions: a stopper portion for securing suture material and a fixing portion for anchoring to bone tissue. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the stopper portion for soft tissue coupling and the fixing portion for bone substrate engagement, thereby improving both coupling strength and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface features are applied to different portions of the anchor device. The fixing portion incorporates threaded, barbed, or vaned features specifically designed for engaging bone substrate, while the stopper portion has features optimized for suture material retention. This local differentiation of surface properties maximizes coupling strength at each interface
2Strength
If traditional bone anchor devices are used, then suture attachment is achieved, but coupling strength and durability with suture material are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper portion is specifically designed with surface features optimized for interacting with suture material, while the fixing portion has features optimized for bone engagement. This local quality differentiation ensures that each interface (suture-stopper and bone-fixing) achieves maximum coupling strength and durability appropriate to its specific function
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bone anchor devices are used, then suture attachment is achieved, but positional adjustability of suture material is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor device incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow the suture material position to be modified after initial placement. This dynamic capability enables surgeons to adjust suture tension and positioning to achieve optimal soft tissue attachment without requiring complete device removal or replacement
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the stopper portion from the fixing portion, the device allows independent adjustment of the suture-securing elements while maintaining stable bone anchorage. This segmentation provides the flexibility needed for positional adjustment while keeping the overall structure manageable
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor device and system for coupling soft tissue to osseous tissue includes a stopper member that supports a loop of suture material. A fixing member includes features that allow it to be rigidly coupled to surrounding bone and thus hold the stopper member in a cavity within the bone. The loop of suture material, in turn, supports a second suture device, which is coupled to, and thus retains, the soft tissue. In certain embodiments, the fixing member includes a wadding structure having a generally elastic property.