Development of a bioabsorbable suture anchor

In this article, the design and properties of a new bioabsorbable suture an chor (SmartAnchor(TM)) are described and its properties are compared with t hose of some commercial anchors. Two comparative experiments were carried o ut in order to measure (1) the breaking force of suture/anchor attachment f or SmartAnchor, MitekGII, and for Ogden anchors; and (2) the fixation force of the following anchors and tacks: SmartAnchor, MitekGIII BankartTack, an d Suretac, The average suture/anchor attachment breaking force of SmartAnch or (204, 9 N) was 32% higher in comparison to MitekGII (155, 6 N) and 84% h igher in comparison to the Ogden anchor (111, 4). The mean fixation force o f the SmartAnchor (195, 5 N) was 40% higher than that of MitekGII (139, 2 N ), but the T-test showed no statistical differences between MitekGII and Sm artAnchor (p = 0.05). Both tested tacks behaved very similarly in this test . The average fixation force (pull-out force) for both tacks was about 210 N, Therefore, it is evident that the bioabsorbable SmartAnchor has a high e nough initial mechanical performance for clinical investigation. (C) 1999 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.