Method and apparatus for attaching connective tissues to bone using a knotless suture anchoring device
First Claim
1. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect thereto, comprising:
- an anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end such that a length of suture may be introduced into the lumen from the proximal end; and
a plurality of suture-locking elements located within the anchor body lumen and each movable within the lumen from respective first positions to second positions, the locking elements in their first positions together defining a generally uniform cross-section axial passage sized to permit axial movement of the length of suture therethrough, and in their second positions converting the cross-section of the axial passage to be irregular and therefore substantially restrict axial movement of the length of suture therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An innovative bone anchor and methods for securing soft tissue, such as tendons, to bone, which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. Advantageously, the suturing material between the soft tissue and the bone anchor is secured without the need for tying a knot. The suture attachment to the bone anchor involves the looping of a length of suture around a pulley within the bone anchor, tightening the suture and attached soft tissue, and clamping the suture within the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be a tubular body having a lumen containing a plurality of suture-locking elements that clamp the suture therein. The locking elements may be thin and C-shaped. One or more locking plugs attached to separable actuation rods displace axially within the lumen and act on the locking elements to displace them radially. A generally uniform passage through the locking elements in their first positions converts to a smaller irregular passage after the locking plug displaces the elements to their second positions, thus effectively clamping the suture. The bone anchor further may include locking structure for securing itself within a bone cavity.
246 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect thereto, comprising:
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an anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end such that a length of suture may be introduced into the lumen from the proximal end; and
a plurality of suture-locking elements located within the anchor body lumen and each movable within the lumen from respective first positions to second positions, the locking elements in their first positions together defining a generally uniform cross-section axial passage sized to permit axial movement of the length of suture therethrough, and in their second positions converting the cross-section of the axial passage to be irregular and therefore substantially restrict axial movement of the length of suture therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect to a body cavity, comprising:
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an anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end such that a length of suture may be introduced into the lumen from the proximal end, the anchor body being sized to fit within the body cavity; and
a plurality of suture-locking elements radially movable within the lumen from respective first positions to second positions, the locking elements in their first positions together defining at least one axial passage sized to permit axial movement of the length of suture therethrough, and in their second positions reducing the size of the passage so as to clamp the length of suture therein and substantially restrict axial movement of the length of suture therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of securing soft tissue with respect to a body cavity without knots, comprising:
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passing a length of suture through soft tissue so that a loop of suture material is embedded in the soft tissue resulting in two free ends;
providing an anchor body having an open proximal end and a lumen, and a plurality of suture-locking elements located within the anchor body lumen and each movable within the lumen from respective first positions to second positions, the locking elements in their first positions together defining a generally uniform cross-section axial passage sized to permit axial movement of the length of suture therethrough, and in their second positions converting the cross-section of the axial passage to be irregular and therefore substantially restricting axial movement of the length of suture therethrough;
passing the two free ends of the length of suture into the lumen of the anchor body through the open proximal end and through the passage with the suture-locking elements in their first positions, and extending the two free ends out of the lumen through the open proximal end;
fixing the anchor body with respect to a body cavity;
tightening the loop of suture material by pulling on one or both of the two free ends of the length of suture; and
fastening the two free ends of the length of suture with respect to the anchor body without the use of knots by displacing the suture-locking elements to their second positions. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification