Transitional Thread Profile Suture Anchor for Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arthroscopic procedures require effective devices for securely reattaching soft tissue to bone, with existing suture anchors and inserter tools lacking ease of insertion and sufficient fixation to the bone.
Innovation Solution
A suture anchor with a tapered body featuring transitional thread profiles and cannulation, along with a delivery device and anchor dilator, allowing for increased torque and interference with the bone for secure anchoring, and a delivery device with varying diameters and shapes for enhanced insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a threaded suture anchor is used to securely attach soft tissue to bone, then fixation strength is improved, but insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suture anchor features a transitional thread profile where distal threads have a first shape optimized for bone engagement and proximal threads have a second shape optimized for inserter interaction. This local differentiation allows the anchor to provide strong fixation in the bone while maintaining ease of insertion through the delivery device.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread profile transitions dynamically along the length of the anchor body, with thread shape changing from distal to proximal regions. This dynamic variation in thread geometry enables the anchor to adapt its mechanical properties along its length, providing both secure fixation and easy insertion.
2Ease of manufacture
If a suture anchor with uniform thread profile is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but insertion performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a uniform thread profile throughout, the invention applies different thread shapes at different locations along the anchor body. The distal portion has threads optimized for bone engagement while the proximal portion has threads optimized for inserter interaction, creating local quality variations that improve overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body is segmented into distinct regions with different thread characteristics. The transitional thread profile divides the anchor into functional zones where each segment serves a specific purpose: distal threads for fixation and proximal threads for insertion, thereby improving insertion performance without significantly complicating manufacturing.
3Ease of operation
If a suture anchor with varying thread shapes is used, then insertion ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The varying thread shapes are implemented as a continuous transitional profile along the anchor body rather than as discrete separate components. This approach maintains insertion ease through optimized local thread geometries while minimizing device complexity by using a unified transitional design rather than multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The different thread shapes are merged into a single transitional profile that continuously varies along the anchor length. This combines the functions of multiple thread designs into one integrated structure, improving insertion ease while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate components with different thread configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a suture anchor. The suture anchor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including threads along at least a partial length of the body and at least one through hole, the threads including a profile such that the threads located near the distal end of the body include a first shape and the threads located near the proximal end of the body include a second shape different from the first shape. Delivery devices and anchor dilators are also disclosed.