Soft tissue locking device

• US 20040153103A1
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Cox, Eric Hubbard, Herbert E. Schwartz, John Margetts, Keith Denlinger, Robert-Jan Enzerink, Stuart Fromm, Thomas C. Mav
• Original Assignee: David Cox, Eric Hubbard, Herbert E. Schwartz, John Margetts, Keith Denlinger, Robert-Jan Enzerink, Stuart Fromm, Thomas C. Mav
• Inventors: Schwartz, Herbert E., Cox, David, Hubbard, Eric, Mav, Thomas C., Enzerink, Robert-Jan, Denlinger, Keith, Margetts, John, Fromm, Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 8,512,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/148
• 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 17/0487 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 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• 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 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks for applying suture anchors A61B2017/0409; for applying wound clamps A61B17/10; for applying ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/128

Abstract

A device for repairing a defect in a soft tissue is disclosed, the device including a first anchor engaging a first surface of the soft tissue on a first side of the defect, the first anchor having a locking mechanism, a second anchor for engaging against a second side of the soft tissue on a second side of the defect, and a suture adjustably connecting the second anchor to the first anchor.

Claims

1. A device for repairing a defect in a soft tissue, comprising:

a first anchor for engaging a first surface of the soft tissue on a first side of the defect, the first anchor having a locking mechanism;

a second anchor for engaging against a second side of the soft tissue on a second side of the defect; and

a suture adjustably connecting the second anchor to the first anchor, whereby tension on the suture pulls the second anchor toward the first anchor through a continuous range of distances, thereby pulling the first and second sides of the defect together to close the defect, and the locking mechanism locks the suture in place at any point along the suture.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the soft tissue is a meniscus.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first anchor is shaped to seat below the first surface of the meniscus, whereby proper seating of the device closes the defect without interfering with joint articulation.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to grip and hold the suture.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the second anchor has a hole, the first anchor is cannulated, and the suture connects the first anchor to the second anchor by passing through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a first direction, by passing through the second anchor hole, and by returning through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a second and opposite direction.

6. A device for repairing a defect in a soft tissue, comprising:

a first anchor for engaging a first surface of the soft tissue on a first side of the defect, the first anchor having a locking mechanism;

a second anchor for engaging against a second surface of the soft tissue on a second side of the defect; and

a suture adjustably connecting the second anchor to the first anchor;

wherein the second anchor has a hole therethrough, the first anchor is cannulated, and the suture connects the first anchor to the outer wall anchor by passing through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a first direction, by passing through the second anchor hole, and by returning through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a second and opposite direction and wherein tension on the suture pulls the second anchor toward the first anchor, thereby pulling the first and second sides of the defect together to close the defect, and the locking mechanism locks the suture in place.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the soft tissue is a meniscus.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the first anchor is shaped to seat below the first surface of the meniscus, whereby proper seating of the device closes the defect without interfering with joint articulation.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to grip and hold the suture.