Apparatus and method for securing tissue to bone with a suture

• US 20060282081A1
• Filed: 01/04/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: C2m Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: C2m Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Fanton, Gary S., Krumme, John
• Application Number:
  US11/325,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282081A1
• 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 17/0487 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 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• 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 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0438 slotted, i.e. having a longitudinal slot for enhancing their elasticity
• 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 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0453 threaded elements, e.g. set screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0456 Surface features on the anchor, e.g. ribs increasing friction between the suture and the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0459 Multiple holes in the anchor through which the suture extends and locking the suture when tension is applied
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures

Abstract

The embodiments provided for herein relate to apparatus and methods for securing tissue to bone using a suture anchoring system that provides enhanced tactile feedback and does not require tying a suture knot. In each embodiment, a surgeon can individually tension the free ends of the suture to fine-tune the placement of the tissue with respect to the bone, and then secure the suture without tying a knot. In several embodiments, the device may be transformed between locked and unlocked suture states, thereby allowing further fine-tuning of the tension in the suture. In other embodiments, the device may permit unidirectional movement of a suture, while preventing slippage or movement of the suture and tissue in the opposite direction.

Claims

1. A bone anchor system for coupling tissue to bone comprising:

a bone anchor main body configured to be placed in an opening in a bone, the bone anchor main body comprising a cavity having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more side surfaces, and opening at or near the proximal end; and

a cam pivotally coupled to the bone anchor main body and positioned at least partially in the cavity, wherein the cam is configured such that a suture contacts at least about 40% of the cross sectional circumference of the cam; and

wherein the cam is positioned in the bone anchor main body such that a suture space exists between the cam and the inner surface of the distal end of the cavity.

2. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising a spring member coupled to the cam, the spring member being configured to bias the cam toward the distal end of the cavity.

3. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising one or more coupling members extending radially from the bone anchor main body, the coupling members being configured to inhibit the bone anchor from moving out of the opening in the bone.

4. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising an inserter, the inserter being reversibly couplable to the bone anchor main body, wherein the inserter is configured to position the bone anchor main body in an opening in a bone.

5. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising a suture puller configured to be coupled to a suture and to thread the suture between the cam and the inner surface of the cavity.

6. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cam is textured to frictionally grip a suture contacted with the textured surface.

7-27. -27. (canceled)