Method for coupling soft tissue to a bone

• US 10,363,028 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Norton, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dornbusch, Dianne
• Application Number:
  US15/200,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20170086816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0485 Devices or means, e.g. loops, for capturing the suture thread and threading it through an opening of a suturing instrument or needle eyelet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1684 for the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00336 with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00858 high friction or non-slip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0406 Pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0432 the separate member staying in the anchor after placement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0477 with pre-tied sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06185 hollow or tubular

Abstract

A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.

Claims

1. A method for forming a flexible member for coupling tissue, the method comprising:

forming a first loop of a self-locking construct of the flexible member by passing a second end of the construct through a first sleeve defined by the self-locking construct proximate to a first end of the self-locking construct;

forming a second loop of the self-locking construct of the flexible member by passing the second end of the self-locking construct through a second sleeve defined proximate to an end of a flexible tail, thereby coupling the self-locking construct to the tail, and then passing the second end through a third sleeve defined by the self-locking construct proximate to the first loop;

wherein the self-locking construct is configured such that passing the tail through the first loop so that the second loop extends into the first loop and forms a tissue capture region defined by the self-locking construct; and

wherein the flexible tail defines a locking member at the second sleeve that is configured to secure the second loop to the first loop.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

forming the flexible tail, including;

coupling a first tail portion to a second tail portion.

3. The method of claim 1, further including:

forming the flexible tail, including;

passing a first end of a first tail portion through a fourth sleeve defined proximate to the first end of the first tail portion to define a loop in the first tail portion;

passing a second end of the first tail portion through a fifth sleeve defined proximate to a first end of a second tail portion;

passing a second end of the second tail portion through the loop in the first tail portion; and

pulling the fifth sleeve of the second tail portion over the fourth sleeve of the first tail portion to secure the first tail portion to the second tail portion and form the flexible tail.

4. The method of claim 1, further including:

forming the flexible tail, including;

coupling a first tail portion including a first color to a second tail portion including a second color that is different from the first color.

5. The method of claim 1, further including:

forming the flexible tail, including;

coupling a first tail portion including a first design pattern to a second tail portion including a second design pattern that is different from the first design pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, further including:

forming the flexible tail, including;

coupling a first tail portion including a first thickness to a second tail portion including a second thickness that is different from the first thickness.

7. The method of claim 1, further including:

forming the flexible tail, including;

coupling a first tail portion including a first weight to a second tail portion including a second weight that is different from the first weight.

8. The method of claim 1, further including:

arranging a soft anchor on the tail.

9. A method for forming a flexible member for coupling tissue, the method comprising:

forming a self-locking construct including a first loop and a second loop, wherein forming the first loop of the self-locking construct includes passing a second end of the self-locking construct through a first sleeve defined by the self-locking construct proximate to a first end of the self-locking construct;

forming a flexible tail including coupling a first tail portion to a second tail portion; and

coupling the self-locking construct to the flexible tail to form the flexible member, wherein a portion of the second loop extends through a portion of the flexible tail,

wherein coupling the first tail portion to the second tai portion includes;

passing a first end of a first tail portion through a second sleeve defined proximate to the first end of the first tail to define a third loop in the first tail portion;

passing a second end of the first tail portion through a third sleeve in the second tail portion;

passing a second end of the second tail portion through the third loop in the first tail portion; and

pulling the third sleeve of the second tail portion over the second sleeve of the first tail portion to secure the first tail portion to the second tail portion and form the flexible tail.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the second loop of the self-locking construct includes:

passing the second end of the self-locking construct through a fourth sleeve defined proximate to an end of a flexible tail, thereby coupling the self-locking construct to the flexible tail, and then passing the second end through a fifth sleeve defined by the self-locking construct proximate to the first loop.

11. The method of claim 10, further including:

arranging a soft anchor on the flexible tail.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the soft anchor is arranged such that the soft anchor covers the second sleeve of the first tail portion and the third sleeve of the second tail portion.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the soft anchor is arranged on the flexible tail such that the soft anchor covers the second sleeve of the first tail portion and a first portion of the third sleeve of the second tail portion such that as second portion of the third sleeve extends out from within the anchor.