Windowed Suture Anchor Sheath for Uniform Bone Hole Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture anchors with compressible anchoring elements and suture threads exhibit poor pull-out resistance due to uncontrolled and uneven distribution of forces on the internal walls of the bone hole, leading to inadequate stress distribution.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor design featuring a compressible sheath with strategically positioned windows that allow the sheath to compress uniformly, forming prominent folds that provide balanced support points on the bone cavity, transitioning into a helical shape for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the suture thread is pulled to compress the compressible anchoring element, then the anchoring element compresses and forms a mass that gets stuck in the hole, but the forces applied by the anchoring element on the internal walls of the hole are poorly controlled and poorly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible anchoring element is segmented into multiple longitudinal sections (first longitudinal section, second longitudinal section, etc.) that can independently compress and form folds. This segmentation allows each section to distribute forces more evenly across the bone hole walls, resolving the issue of poor force distribution while maintaining high pull-out resistance through cumulative compression of all sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different longitudinal sections of the compressible anchoring element are designed with specific local characteristics, including windows at predetermined positions that create fold lines. These local features ensure that compression forces are distributed at specific locations along the anchoring element, creating multiple support points that improve force distribution on the bone hole walls.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the compressible anchoring element has a deformable accordion structure, then it can be compressed and wedged in the hole, but the resting conformation leads to uncontrolled compression and poor stress distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible anchoring element is pre-formed with windows at predetermined positions along its longitudinal sections before insertion. These pre-positioned windows create predetermined fold lines that guide the compression process, ensuring that when the anchoring element is compressed in the bone hole, the folds form at controlled locations rather than randomly, thereby achieving uniform stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible anchoring element features a curved or arched configuration with longitudinal sections that can bend and form folds. This curved geometry, combined with the strategically positioned windows, allows the element to compress in a controlled manner, distributing forces evenly across the bone hole walls while maintaining the ability to wedge securely in place.
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
The design achieves improved pull-out resistance by uniformly distributing forces on the bone cavity, ensuring better anchoring and stability of the suture thread.
Implementation Method 1
pull on the two strands of the suture thread protruding from the hole so that the compressible anchoring element compresses and forms a mass that gets stuck in the hole
Implementation Method 2
the compressible anchoring element has a deformable accordion structure so that it can be compressed once inserted into a hole made in the bone
Implementation Method 3
the suture thread is free to slide inside the compressible sheath
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Suture anchor (1) for anchoring soft tissue to a bone, comprising a suture thread (2) coupled to a compressible anchoring element (3), configurable between a rest configuration and a compressed configuration, where in the rest configuration: - the compressible anchoring element comprises a compressible sheath (4) having the form of a U-shaped arch with a central bent section (40) connecting two longitudinal sections (41, 42) provided with windows (51, 52) on either side of a median plane (PM); and - the suture thread is free to slide in the compressible sheath and passes through it along its entire length.