Push-in suture anchor, insertion tool, and method for inserting a push-in suture anchor

• US 20040243178A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linvatec Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Linvatec Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Paiste, Mark, Keane, Michael Francis, Reimels, William, Haut, Traci
• Granted Patent: US 7,320,701 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• 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 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel

Abstract

A toggling suture anchor, insertion tool, and method for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone are provided. The toggling suture anchor is anchored by operation of the insertion tool, the suture anchor including a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture thread, and at least one suture groove to provide a location to guide the suture thread while inserting the suture anchor into the bone; and at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

Claims

1. A toggling suture anchor for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone, the toggling suture anchor being anchored by operation of an insertion tool, the suture anchor comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture thread, and at least one suture groove to provide a location to guide the suture thread while inserting the suture anchor into the bone; and

at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

2. The suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

3. The suture anchor according to claim 2, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

4. The suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

5. The suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking wing includes a single locking wing extending radially from the shaft.

6. The suture anchor according to claim 5, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

7. The suture anchor according to claim 6, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

8. The suture anchor according to claim 7, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

9. The suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one eyelet hole is arranged of the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

10. The suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the shaft of the suture anchor further includes at least one stabilizing rib to stabilize the suture anchor when coupled to the insertion tool.

11. The suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the suture anchor includes at least one of a non-toxic and bio-compatible polymer, a polymer alloy, a fiber reinforced polymer composite, a metal, ceramic, copolymer, polymer mixture, and a bio-absorbable material.

12. The suture anchor according to claim 11, wherein the bio-absorbable material includes a self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer.

13. A toggling suture anchor for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone, the toggling suture anchor being anchored by operation of an insertion tool, the suture anchor comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture, and at least one suture groove to provide a location to guide the suture thread while inserting the suture anchor into the bone;

wherein the proximal end of the shaft is acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

14. The suture anchor according to claim 13, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

15. The suture anchor according to claim 14, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

16. The suture anchor according to claim 13, wherein the shaft of the suture anchor further includes at least one stabilizing rib to stabilize the suture anchor when coupled to the insertion tool.

17. The suture anchor according to claim 13, wherein the suture anchor includes at least one of a non-toxic and bio-compatible polymer, a polymer alloy, a fiber reinforced polymer composite, a metal, ceramic, copolymer, polymer mixture, and a bio-absorbable material.

18. The suture anchor according to claim 17, wherein the bio-absorbable material includes a self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer.

19. A toggling suture anchor for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone, the toggling suture anchor being anchored by operation of an insertion tool, the suture anchor comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture thread, and at least one stabilizing rib configured to contact an inner surface of a cylindrical distal end of the insertion tool to stabilize the suture anchor when coupled to the insertion tool; and

at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

20. The suture anchor according to claim 19, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

21. The suture anchor according to claim 20, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

22. The suture anchor according to claim 19, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

23. The suture anchor according to claim 19, wherein the at least one locking wing includes a single locking wing extending radially from the shaft.

24. A toggling suture anchor for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone, the toggling suture anchor being anchored by operation of an insertion tool, the suture anchor comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a cone-shaped distal end, a proximal end acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to a longitudinal axis of the suture anchor, at least one eyelet hole arranged off the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor to receive the suture thread, at least one suture groove to provide a location to guide the suture thread while inserting the suture anchor into the bone, at least one stabilizing rib configured to contact an inner surface of a cylindrical distal end of the insertion tool to stabilize the suture anchor when coupled to the insertion tool; and

a single locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

25. A toggling suture anchor for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone, the toggling suture anchor being anchored by operation of an insertion tool, the suture anchor comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture thread;

wherein the toggling suture anchor includes a self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer having a plurality of self-reinforced molecular fiber chains extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toggling anchor, whereby the suture produces a tensional force on the eyelet hole in a direction perpendicular the extension of the self-reinforced molecular fiber chains after the toggling suture anchor is toggled into a final locking position.

26. The suture anchor according to claim 25, further comprising:

at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

27. The suture anchor according to claim 26, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

28. The suture anchor according to claim 27, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

29. The suture anchor according to claim 26, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

30. An anchoring system for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone, the anchoring system comprising:

an insertion tool; and

a toggling suture anchor configured to be coupled to the insertion tool, the suture anchor including a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture, and at least one suture groove to provide a location to guide the suture thread while inserting the suture anchor into the bone; and

at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

31. The anchoring system according to claim 30, wherein the at least one locking wing includes a single locking wing extending radially from the shaft.

32. The anchoring system according to claim 31, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

33. The anchoring system according to claim 32, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

34. An insertion tool for inserting a suture anchor into bone for anchoring at least one suture thread to the bone, the suture anchor including at least one radially extending wing, the insertion tool comprising:

a cylindrically shaped distal receiving end having an interface surface configured to engage with an engagement surface of the suture anchor;

a handle coupled to the cylindrically shaped distal receiving end; and

an S-shaped slot including a distal portion appropriately dimensioned for loosely receiving the radially extending wing of the suture anchor, and further including an angularly offset proximal portion configured to receive the suture thread, the proximal portion of the S-shaped slot forming a suture guide hub.

35. A method of inserting a suture anchor into bone using an insertion tool, the suture anchor including a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one eyelet hole to receive at least one suture thread;

and at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor, the method comprising;

coupling the suture anchor to the insertion tool;

inserting the suture anchor into a site in the bone using the insertion tool;

applying a rotational force to the insertion tool to rotate the suture anchor within the bone;

removing the insertion tool from the bone; and

toggling the suture anchor into a final locked position.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the bone includes a cortical layer, the final locked position being approximately perpendicular to the cortical layer of the bone.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the toggling step is performed by tugging the suture thread.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an engagement surface configured to engage with an interface surface of the insertion tool.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the distal end is cone shaped.

40. The method according to claim 36, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is acutely angled toward the distal end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

41. The method according to claim 36, wherein the at least one locking wing includes a single locking wing extending radially from the shaft.

42. The method according to claim 36, wherein the suture anchor includes at least one of a non-toxic and bio-compatible polymer, a polymer alloy, a fiber reinforced polymer composite, a metal, ceramic, copolymer, polymer mixture, and a bio-absorbable material.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the bio-absorbable material includes a self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer includes a plurality of self-reinforced molecular fiber chains extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toggling anchor, whereby the suture produces a tensional force on the eyelet hole in a direction perpendicular the extension of the self-reinforced molecular fiber chains after the toggling suture anchor is toggled into the final locking position.

45. A method of inserting a plurality of suture anchors into bone using an insertion tool, the suture anchor including a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one eyelet hole to receive at least one suture thread;

and at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor, the insertion tool including a cylindrically shaped distal receiving end having an interface surface configured to engage with an engagement surface of the suture anchor;

a handle coupled to the cylindrically shaped distal receiving end; and

an S-shaped slot including a distal portion appropriately dimensioned for loosely receiving the radially extending wing of the suture anchor, and further including an angularly offset proximal portion configured to receive the suture thread, the proximal portion of the S-shaped slot forming a suture guide hub, the method comprising;

(a) coupling one of the suture anchors to the insertion tool;

inserting the suture anchor into a site in the bone using the insertion tool;

(b) applying a rotational force to the insertion tool to rotate the suture anchor within the bone, the rotation of the insertion tool causing the suture thread to align with the proximal portion of the S-shaped slot, thereby permitting the insertion tool to be removed from the bone without interfering with the suture thread;

(c) removing the insertion tool from the bone;

(d) toggling the suture anchor into a final locked position;

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for remaining ones of the suture anchors.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the bone includes a cortical layer, the final locked position being approximately perpendicular to the cortical layer of the bone.

47. The method according to claim 45, wherein the toggling step is performed by tugging the suture thread.

48. The method according to claim 45, wherein the suture anchor includes at least one of a non-toxic and bio-compatible polymer, a polymer alloy, a fiber reinforced polymer composite, a metal, ceramic, copolymer, polymer mixture, and a bio-absorbable material.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the bio-absorbable material includes a self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the self-reinforced bio-absorbable copolymer includes a plurality of self-reinforced molecular fiber chains extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toggling anchor, whereby the suture produces a tensional force on the eyelet hole in a direction perpendicular the extension of the self-reinforced molecular fiber chains after the toggling suture anchor is toggled into the final locking position.