Soft Tissue Fixation Pad with Friction Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical fixation methods for soft tissue to bone often rely on a single point of fixation, which can be inadequate for distributing the force and tension evenly, leading to potential failure and instability in tissue attachment.
Innovation Solution
A soft tissue fixation pad with a large surface area and friction-enhancing protrusions is used to distribute the force across a broader area, allowing for multiple points of contact and fixation between soft tissue and bone, enhancing stability and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single point of fixation is used to attach soft tissue to bone, then the fixation method is simple and easy to implement, but the distribution of force and tension is inadequate, leading to potential failure and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting member is divided into multiple contacting surfaces (first contacting surface and second contacting surface) that can independently contact different portions of the soft tissue. This segmentation allows force to be distributed across multiple points rather than concentrated at a single fixation point, thereby improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-point fixation to multi-surface contacting by extending the fixation approach into additional spatial dimensions. The contacting member provides both a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface that can engage the soft tissue at different locations and orientations, distributing forces across a broader spatial distribution
2Device complexity
If a single point of fixation is used, then the device structure is simple, but the force distribution is inadequate causing potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting member is segmented into multiple contacting surfaces that can independently engage the soft tissue. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across multiple contact points, preventing stress concentration and thereby improving overall fixation strength without requiring overly complex structural designs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple contacting surfaces (first contacting surface and second contacting surface) into a single integrated contacting member. This merging allows the forces acting on different surfaces to work together synergistically, providing enhanced overall fixation strength while maintaining a relatively simple unified device structure
3Reliability
If a large surface area contacting member is used, then force distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing the surface area of a single contacting surface, the invention utilizes multiple contacting surfaces (first and second surfaces) that can contact the soft tissue at different locations. This dimensional approach to force distribution provides improved reliability without requiring an excessively large or complex single-surface structure
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 improved stability and resistance to pull-out or tear by distributing the force across a larger surface area, ensuring secure fixation and longevity of the soft tissue attachment to the bone.
Implementation Method 1
The pad or the soft tissue contacting member can provide a large surface area that can be greater than a shaft of a fixation nail or screw to fix soft tissue relative to a second portion
Implementation Method 2
The soft tissue fixation pad can further include a surface that is roughened and/or not smooth relative to the soft tissue position
Data Source
AI summary
A contacting or friction pad for engaging a member. The member may be a soft tissue portion to be fixed to a bone using the contacting member. A further fixation member may be used to fix the contacting pad and the member to the bone.