Apparatus and method for securing suture to bone

• US 20050267479A1
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tornier Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tornier Incorporated
• Inventors: Fenton, Paul V. Jr., Novak, Vincent P., Fenton, Thomas N., Morgan, Daniel E.
• Application Number:
  US11/194,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267479A1
• 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 2017/0412 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06185 hollow or tubular

Abstract

A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, including a body and a continuous suture loop. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, and has an external threaded portion extending coaxial with the axis, and a bore extending from the second end towards the first end. The continuous suture loop is secured within the bore of the body so that at least a portion of the loop extends from the second end of the body to form an eyelet.

Claims

1. A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising:

A) a body extending along a longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, and having,

an external threaded portion extending coaxial with the axis,

a bore extending from the second end towards the first end; and

B) a continuous suture loop secured within the bore of the body to form an eyelet.

2. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the suture loop is bonded to an inner surface of the bore of the body.

3. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the suture loop is secured in the bore by a retainer secured to the body and extending through the loop generally laterally with respect to the axis.

4. A suture anchor according to claim 3, wherein the loop is movable between the body and the retainer.

5. A suture anchor according to claim 3, wherein the retainer is unitary with the body.

6. A suture anchor according to claim 5, wherein the body and the retainer are formed about the suture loop from at least two longitudinal portions.

7. A suture anchor according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal portions of the body are ultrasonically bonded.

8. A suture anchor according to claim 3, wherein the body includes a second bore extending generally laterally with respect to the axis, and wherein the retainer is received in the second bore, and at least a portion of an outer surface of the retainer is secured to an inner surface of the second bore.

9. A suture anchor according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the retainer is ultrasonically bonded to an inner surface of the second bore.

10. A suture anchor according to claim 3, further comprising a pulley supporting the suture loop on the retainer.

11. A suture anchor according to claim 10, wherein the pulley is rotatably mounted on the retainer.

12. A suture anchor according to claim 3, wherein the bore extends between the first and the second ends of the body and the retainer is wedged within an inner wall of the bore.

13. A suture anchor according to claim 12, wherein the bore includes a shoulder facing towards the first end and the retainer contacts the shoulder.

14. A suture anchor according to claim 12, wherein the suture loop passes through channels in an outer surface of the retainer.

15. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the continuous suture loop is braided.

16. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the body further includes a drive head at the second end.

17. A suture anchor according to claim 16, wherein the drive head has a hexagonal engagement surface facing laterally outwardly from the axis.

18. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the external threaded portion includes a self-tapping threads.

19. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the external threaded portion includes a self-drilling tip at the first end of the body.

20. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein the external threaded portion extends from the first end of the body.

21. A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein said continuous suture loop has a substantially constant diameter.

22. A suture anchor according to claim 21, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the suture loop is bonded to an inner surface of the bore of the body.

23. A suture anchor according to claim 21, wherein the suture loop is secured in the bore by a retainer secured to the body and extending through the loop generally laterally with respect to the axis.

24. A suture anchor according to claim 23, wherein the loop is movable between the body and the retainer.

25. A suture anchor according to claim 23, wherein the retainer is unitary with the body.

26. A suture anchor according to claim 25, wherein the body and the retainer are formed about the suture loop from at least two longitudinal portions.

27. A suture anchor according to claim 26, wherein the longitudinal portions of the body are ultrasonically bonded.