Tissue Capture Anchor with Expandable Tines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as biceps tenodesis and ACL repair, are complex and require multiple steps and tools, making them difficult to perform arthroscopically.

Innovation Solution

A tissue capture anchor system comprising an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that deploys the tines when advanced, allowing for secure attachment of soft tissue to bone without the need for sutures or knots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multiple-step surgical procedures are used for attaching soft tissue to bone, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the procedure becomes complex and requires multiple tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (tissue capture, anchoring, and securing) into a single integrated anchor device. The anchor body with expandable tines merges the functions of traditional separate instruments, allowing secure tissue-to-bone attachment while reducing procedural complexity and the number of required tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor device serves multiple functions: it captures soft tissue, anchors to bone, and secures the attachment in one device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized instruments, simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional multiple-step procedures are used, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the number of steps and tools increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidprocedure efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging tissue capture, anchoring, and securing functions into one device, the procedure requires fewer steps and less time, improving surgical efficiency without compromising attachment security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor device is pre-configured with expandable tines and tissue-capturing features, allowing the surgeon to perform the attachment in fewer steps. The preliminary design of the device prepares all necessary functions in advance, eliminating the need for multiple sequential operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional procedures are used, then soft tissue can be attached to bone, but the procedure is difficult to perform arthroscopically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue attachmentVSAvoidarthroscopic accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor device is designed with modular components including an anchor body, expandable tines, and a spreader that can be inserted separately and deployed in sequence. This segmentation allows the components to be delivered through small arthroscopic incisions and assembled in situ, improving ease of arthroscopic operation while ensuring reliable tissue attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spreader is designed to fit within the anchor body during insertion, and the tines are collapsed within the anchor structure. This nested configuration allows the entire device to be delivered through small arthroscopic portals, then deployed in sequence to achieve secure tissue-to-bone attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4368148B1System for securing tissue to bone
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 CONMED CORP
  • EP4368148B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4368148B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4368148B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue capture anchor 1000 is described that comprises an anchor body 1200 and a spreader 1300 such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor 1000 and spreader 1300 and inside surfaces of a bone hole to secure the tissue within the hole. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body 1200 with expandable tines 1220 and a spreader 1300 that expands the tines 1220 into bone. The spreader 1300 captures tissue via a suture loop 1390 at the distal end of the bone anchor 1000. Also described is an inserter 400 that can be used to insert the anchor 1000 into bone and move the spreader 1300 within the anchor 1000 to expand the anchor 1000 and capture the tissue between the anchor 1000 and the bone.