Method and apparatus for the repair of a rotator cuff (RTC) tendon or ligament

• US 20060247641A1
• Filed: 11/15/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Reese, Karl, Re, Louis P., Hubbard, Dennis, Marshall, Peter F., Re, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/280,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247641A1
• 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 2017/0404 Buttons
• 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 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0829 without deformation of anchor parts, e.g. fixation screws on bone surface, extending barbs, cams, butterflies, spring-loaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0841 Longitudinal channel for insertion tool running through the whole tendon anchor, e.g. for accommodating bone drill, guidewire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel

Abstract

Apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising: a suture anchor comprising: a body; an elongated tip section connected to the body and extending distally of the body, the elongated tip section terminating in a distal point; a bone-engaging geometry formed on the body, the bone-engaging geometry being proximal to the elongated tip section; a driver-engaging element formed on the proximal end of the body; and a suture-connecting feature associated with the body for attaching a suture to the body; wherein the elongated tip section has a length which exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone, such that when the suture anchor is passed through the soft tissue, the distal point emerges from the soft tissue before the bone-engaging geometry penetrates the soft tissue.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising:

a suture anchor comprising;

a body;

an elongated tip section connected to the body and extending distally of the body, the elongated tip section terminating in a distal point;

a bone-engaging geometry formed on the body, the bone-engaging geometry being proximal to the elongated tip section;

a driver-engaging element formed on the proximal end of the body; and

a suture-connecting feature associated with the body for attaching a suture to the body;

wherein the elongated tip section has a length which exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone, such that when the suture anchor is passed through the soft tissue, the distal point emerges from the soft tissue before the bone-engaging geometry penetrates the soft tissue.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the soft tissue comprises a tendon.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the soft tissue comprises rotator cuff (RTC) tendon.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the soft tissue comprises a ligament.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bone comprises a humerus.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor is formed out of metal.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the suture anchor is formed out of stainless steel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the suture anchor is formed out of titanium.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor is formed out of plastic.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor is formed out of absorbable material.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor is formed out of a metal and a non-metal.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongated tip section has a length which exceeds the full thickness of the rotator cuff (RTC) tendon.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongated tip section has a length which exceeds the thickness of the detached portion of a partially torn rotator cuff (RTC) tendon.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongated tip section has a length of approximately 10 to 20 mm in length.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bone-engaging geometry comprises screw threads.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bone-engaging geometry comprises ribs.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bone-engaging geometry comprises barbs.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the driver-engaging element comprises a non-circular projection extending proximally.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the non-circular projection has a hex-shaped cross-section.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the non-circular projection has a square cross-section.

21. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the non-circular projection has a rectangular cross-section.

22. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the non-circular projection has a Torx-type geometry.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture-connecting feature comprises an eyelet formed in the suture anchor.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor comprises a single integral structure.

25. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor comprises an implant body and a wire trocar.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the implant body comprises an axial bore and the wire trocar is selectively received within the implant body.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the implant body comprises the body, the bone-engaging geometry, the driver-engaging element, and the suture-connecting feature, and wherein the wire trocar comprises the elongated tip section.

28. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein, when the wire trocar is received within the implant body, the distance between the distal point and the distal end of the bone-engaging geometry exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone.

29. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises suture attached to the body.

30. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a driver for inserting the suture anchor into bone.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the driver comprises a support sheath for supporting the proximal portion of the suture anchor.

32. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a tap.

33. Apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising:

a bone-preparation device having structure for forming a seat in a bone, the bone-preparation device having an axial bore; and

a wire trocar selectively received within the axial bore, the wire trocar comprising a distal point;

wherein, when the wire trocar is received within the bone-preparation device, the distance between the distal point and the distal end of the structure for forming a seat in a bone exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the bone-preparation device comprises a tap, and further wherein the structure for forming a seat in a bone comprises structure for forming a screw thread seat in the bone

35. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

an implant body comprising;

a body having an axial bore;

a bone-engaging geometry formed on the body;

a driver-engaging element formed on the proximal end of the body; and

a suture-connecting feature associated with the body for attaching a suture to the body.

36. A method for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising:

providing apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising;

a suture anchor comprising;

a body;

an elongated tip section connected to the body and extending distally of the body, the elongated tip section terminating in a distal point;

a bone-engaging geometry formed on the body, the bone-engaging geometry being proximal to the elongated tip section;

a driver-engaging element formed on the proximal end of the body; and

a suture-connecting feature associated with the body for attaching a suture to the body;

wherein the elongated tip section has a length which exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone, such that when the suture anchor is passed through the soft tissue, the distal point emerges from the soft tissue before the bone-engaging geometry penetrates the soft tissue;

advancing the suture anchor through the soft tissue so that the distal point emerges from the underside of the soft tissue before the bone-engaging geometry engages the soft tissue; and

advancing the suture anchor into the bone.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein the suture anchor is used to move the soft tissue laterally before the suture anchor is advanced into the bone.

38. A method for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising:

providing;

apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising;

a bone-preparation device having structure for forming a seat in a bone, the bone-preparation device having an axial bore;

a wire trocar selectively received within the axial bore, the wire trocar comprising a distal point;

wherein, when the wire trocar is received within the bone-preparation device, the distance between the distal point and the distal end of the structure for forming a seat in a bone exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone; and

an implant body comprising;

a body having an axial bore;

a bone-engaging geometry formed on the body;

a driver-engaging element formed on the proximal end of the body; and

a suture-connecting feature associated with the body for attaching a suture to the body;

loading the bone-preparation device onto the wire trocar so that the distance between the distal point and the distal end of the structure for forming a seat in a bone exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone;

advancing the wire trocar through the soft tissue so that the distal point emerges from the underside of the soft tissue before the structure for forming a seat in the bone engages the soft tissue;

advancing the wire trocar into the bone, and advancing the bone-preparation device into the bone;

withdrawing the bone-preparation device from the bone;

loading the implant body onto the wire trocar and advancing it into the bone; and

withdrawing the wire trocar from the bone.