Knotless suture anchor

• US 20040138706A1
• Filed: 01/09/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linvatec Biomaterials Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Linvatec Biomaterials Incorporated
• Inventors: Abrams, Jeffrey, Keegan, Chris, Reimels, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,517,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0438 slotted, i.e. having a longitudinal slot for enhancing their elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor

Abstract

A suture anchor that allows a surgeon to securely and efficiently suture soft tissue to bone without knotting the suture, comprising a locking body through which a suture is passed, and an anchor collar, which, when positioned over the suture passing through the locking body, secures the suture.

Claims

1. A suture anchor comprising:

a locking body comprising a shaft, an eyelet configured to receive one or more suture threads, and at least one protuberance for securing said central anchoring post in bone; and

a collar movably engaged with said central anchoring post, said collar having a hole there through and having an exterior surface comprising at least one protuberance for securing said collar in bone, wherein said collar is configured to secure one or more suture threads between said collar and said locking body.

2. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said locking body further comprises one or more indentations for receiving said suture threads.

3. The suture anchor of claim 2, wherein said indentations are grooves of variable depth leading from said eyelet.

4. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said protuberance on said locking body comprises a head located distally to said collar.

5. The suture anchor of claim 4, wherein said head is wedge-shaped.

6. The suture anchor of claim 4, wherein said head comprises one or more ridges.

7. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said protuberance on said locking body comprises on or more threads, spikes, or scales.

8. The suture anchor of claim 7, wherein said threads, spikes, or scales are located distal to said collar.

9. The suture anchor of claim 1, where said protuberance on said collar comprises one or more ridges.

10. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said protuberance on said collar comprises one or more spikes or scales.

11. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said protuberance on said collar comprises one or more screw threads.

12. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said collar bows outward when moved over said locking body.

13. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said locking body is tapered.

14. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said locking body has distal and proximal ends, each of which have a maximum width that is greater than the maximum width of said hole in said collar.

15. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said suture anchor is biostable.

16. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said suture anchor is biodegradable.

17. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said locking body includes at least a portion of self-reinforced polymer.

18. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein said suture anchor is bioabsorbable.

19. A method for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

(a) providing a suture anchor comprising, a locking body comprising a shaft, an eyelet configured to receive one or more suture threads, and at least one protuberance for securing said central anchoring post in bone; and

a collar movably engaged with said central anchoring post, said collar having a hole there through and having an exterior surface comprising at least one protuberance for securing said collar in bone, wherein said collar is configured to secure one or more suture threads between said collar and said locking body collar having an exterior surface comprising at least one protuberance for securing said collar in bone;

(b) attaching suture thread to said tissue;

(c) positioning the ends of said suture through said eyelet, with said collar located distally to said eyelet;

(d) inserting said suture anchor into a pre-drilled hole in said bone while keeping said collar positioned distally to said eyelet;

(e) positioning said tissue by applying force to said ends of said suture;

(f) further inserting said locking body into said hole in said bone so that said collar is located proximally to said eyelet, with said suture threads secured between said collar and said central anchoring post.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said pre-drilled hole in said bone is tapered.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein inserting said suture anchor includes pushing said suture anchor into said pre-drilled hole.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein inserting said suture anchor includes screwing said suture anchor into said pre-drilled hole.