Thermoplastic Suture Anchor Fixation Beneath Cortical Bone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching sutures to hard tissue using suture anchors with thermoplastic materials require complex preparation and tuning, and do not allow for easy mechanical and visual control during the liquefaction process, particularly when fixing the anchor beneath a cortical bone layer.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a suture anchor with a thermoplastic sleeve that is liquefied in situ using vibration energy, allowing for easy mechanical and visual control through a lever system, and a removable interface piece for secure fixation beneath a cortical bone layer, ensuring the suture remains slideable and minimizing friction with the hard tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermoplastic sleeve is used for the suture anchor and liquefied in situ with vibration energy, then secure fixation in hard tissue is achieved, but the process requires complex preparation and tuning without easy mechanical and visual control
Solution Approach 1:
A push rod is introduced as an intermediary mechanical element to transfer and control the vibration energy from the vibration tool to the thermoplastic sleeve. This push rod serves as a mediator that enables precise mechanical control of the liquefaction process while maintaining secure fixation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates visual control mechanisms that allow the surgeon to observe the liquefaction process in real-time. Through visual feedback (analogous to color changes indicating state), the surgeon can monitor when the thermoplastic material has sufficiently liquefied and when to stop the process, simplifying the control complexity while maintaining fixation security
2Reliability
If the suture anchor is fixed beneath a cortical bone layer, then secure anchoring is achieved, but friction between the sleeve and hard tissue wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the thermoplastic sleeve from solid to liquefied state during insertion. By liquefying the material in situ, the sleeve can flow into the bone tissue pores and trabecular structures beneath the cortical layer without experiencing friction against the cortical bone wall, achieving secure anchoring while eliminating friction
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic material undergoes a phase transition from solid to liquid state through vibration-induced liquefaction. This phase change allows the material to penetrate the hard tissue without friction, then re-solidifies to create a positive fit connection, resolving the contradiction between secure anchoring and friction reduction
3Productivity
If vibration energy is used for in situ liquefaction of the thermoplastic material, then automatic anchoring is achieved, but thermal impact on the surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration energy directly applied to the thermoplastic sleeve through a push rod and vibration tool. This mechanical vibration method liquefies the thermoplastic material through mechanical energy rather than external heating, maintaining high anchoring efficiency while minimizing thermal impact on surrounding bone tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal heating methods with mechanical vibration for liquefying the thermoplastic material. By substituting the thermal field with a mechanical vibration field, the process achieves automatic anchoring with high productivity while avoiding the harmful thermal effects that would otherwise affect the surrounding tissue
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 solution provides a simplified, stable, and minimally invasive method for attaching sutures to hard tissue, enabling secure fixation beneath cortical bone layers with reduced friction and thermal impact, suitable for both minimally invasive and open surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied starting from its proximal and/or distal face with the aid of vibratory energy
Implementation Method 2
on re-solidification it constitutes a positive fit connection between the hard tissue and the suture anchor
Data Source
AI summary
A device for fixating a suture anchor beyond a hard tissue opening with the aid of a material having thermoplastic properties and energy transmitted to the suture anchor for in situ liquefaction of at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties. The device includes a tool and a suture anchor. The tool has a proximal end suitable for being coupled to an energy source and a distal end suitable for arrangement of the suture anchor including the suture. The distal end includes a distal tool face and an axial channel with a distal mouth located in the distal tool face. The suture anchor has an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve including the material having thermoplastic properties. The anchor foot holds a loop of a suture such that end sections of the suture reach through the thermoplastic sleeve and a portion of the distal tool face.