Method and apparatus for attaching connective tissues to bone using a knotless suture anchoring device

• US 20040243179A1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Opus Medical, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Foerster, Seth A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,556,640 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 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• 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 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/042 plastically deformed during insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• 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 2002/0864 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor elements, e.g. by additional screws in the anchor, anchor crimped around tendon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone
• 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 device for attaching connective tissue to bone has a longitudinal axis and comprises an annular toggle member and a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between the toggle member and the body member. The toggle member is movable between an undeployed position wherein the toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to the axis and a deployed position wherein the toggle member has a larger profile in the direction transverse to the axis. When installed in a desired procedural site, in suitable bone, suturing material extends axially through a center aperture in the annular toggle member, without being secured to or contacting the toggle member. This approach permits a suture attachment which lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface, and which further permit the attachment of suture to the bone anchor without the necessity for tying knots, which is particularly arduous and technically demanding in the case of arthroscopic procedures.

Claims

1. A bone anchor device for attaching connective tissue to bone, said device having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a toggle member;

a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between said toggle member and said body member; and

a connecting portion disposed in said axial space and joining said toggle member to said body member;

said toggle member being movable between an undeployed position wherein said toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to said axis and a deployed position wherein said toggle member has a larger profile in said direction transverse to said axis; and

said connecting portion deforming when said toggle member is moved from said undeployed position to said deployed position such that said axial space is reduced in length.

2. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 1, wherein said body member is tubular.

3. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting portion comprises a strut having a proximal end joined to said toggle member and a distal end joined to said body member.

7. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 1, wherein said toggle member is disposed at an acute angle relative to said axis in said undeployed position, and is disposed in a substantially transverse orientation relative to said axis in said deployed position.

8. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting portion is formed of a biocompatible relatively ductile material.

9. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 8, wherein said biocompatible relatively ductile material comprises annealed metal.

10. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 1, wherein a transverse dimension of said toggle member in the undeployed position is substantially the same or less than a transverse dimension of said body member.

11. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 10, wherein said transverse dimension of said toggle member in the deployed position is substantially greater than the transverse dimension of said body member.

12. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a mandrel disposed proximally of said toggle member.

4-6. -6. (Canceled)

13-14. -14. (Canceled)

15. A bone anchor device for attaching soft tissue to bone, said device having a longitudinal axis and comprising a toggle member being rotatable from an undeployed position wherein said toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to said axis and a deployed position wherein said toggle member has a larger profile in said direction transverse to said axis, said toggle member having no structure for attaching suture material thereto.

16. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a body member disposed distally of said toggle member, such that there is an axial space between said toggle member and said body member, and a connecting portion disposed in said axial space and joining said toggle member to said body member.

17. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 16, wherein said connecting portion deforms when said toggle member is rotated from said undeployed position to said deployed position, such that said axial space is reduced in length.

18. The bone anchor device as recited in claim 16, wherein said connecting portion comprises a strut having a proximal end joined to said toggle member and a distal end joined to said body member.

19-24. -24. (Canceled)

25. Apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, said apparatus having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a toggle member;

a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between said toggle member and said body member;

said toggle member being movable between an undeployed position wherein said toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to said axis and a deployed position wherein said toggle member has a larger profile in said direction transverse to said axis; and

a connecting portion disposed in said axial space and joining said toggle member to said body member.

26-44. -44. (Canceled)

45. A device for anchoring a suture to tissue or bone, comprising:

a first component adapted to be embedded in bone and having at least one passage therein;

a suture having at least a portion extending from the at least one passage; and

a second component receivable within the first component such that the first and second components are effective to retain the suture therebetween by compression.