Method and apparatus for arthroscopic surgery using suture anchors

• US 20070219558A1
• Filed: 04/07/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DePuy Mitek Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Mitek Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Deutsch, Allen
• Application Number:
  US11/400,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20070219558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/326
• 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 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0416 Packages or dispensers for suture anchors or for anchor applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for dual row arthroscopic connective tissue repair surgeries. The methods and apparatus include a first type of suture anchor for a first row of anchors and a second type of anchor for a second row of anchors, where the second type of anchor includes a suture capture device for facilitating arthroscopic reapproximation of tissue to bone.

Claims

1. A method for approximating soft tissue to bone, the method comprising:

providing a first suture anchor having a first anchor body and at least one suture loop affixed thereto;

fixing the first anchor in a bone;

passing each suture loop through soft tissue;

providing a second suture anchor having a second anchor body, the second anchor body having a notch for receiving suture;

capturing a section of each suture loop in the notch; and

,

fixing the second anchor in the bone, thereby approximating the soft tissue to the bone,

wherein each suture loop is sufficiently tensioned to provide effective contact between the soft tissue and the bone.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first anchor body has a central axis, external screw threads about the axis, and wherein the first anchor is fixed in bone by rotationally engaging the external screw threads with the bone.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first anchor comprises two suture loops.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a bore hole is formed in the bone for receiving at least one of the first and the second anchor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first anchor and the second anchor comprise a bioabsorbable material.

21. The kit of claim 1 additionally comprising at least one of a bone drill and a thread-cutting bone tap, for preparing a hole in the bone to receive one of the first anchor and the second anchor.

6. A method for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, the method comprising:

providing a first suture anchor having a first anchor body, a central longitudinal axis through the body, external screw threads extending from the body about the axis, and at least one limb of suture affixed to the first anchor body;

fixing the first anchor body in a bone by rotationally engaging the external screw threads into the bone;

passing each limb of suture through the soft tissue;

providing a second suture anchor having a second anchor body and a suture capture member associated therewith;

capturing a section of one of each limb of suture in the suture capture means;

fixing the second suture anchor into the bone; and

approximating the soft tissue to the bone by applying tension to a each limb of suture.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein approximating the soft tissue to the bone is a concurrent step with fixing the second anchor into the bone.

8. The method of claim 6 the limb of suture comprises at least one suture loop.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the suture capture member comprises a notch in the second body.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the suture capture member comprises a suture threader mounted through a suture eyelet on the second anchor.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the second suture anchor is selected from the group consisting of an interference type fixation anchor and an externally threaded type fixation anchor.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the second suture anchor comprises a knotless anchor.

13. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of adjusting a length of a portion of the one of the at least one limb of suture between the first anchor and the second anchor.

14. A suture anchor for securing suture to bone comprising:

a central anchor body having a central axis, a distal end and a proximal end, external screw threads disposed about the axis between the distal and the proximal end, a drive head disposed at the proximal end, two or more suture loops affixed proximally to the body.

15. The suture anchor of claim 14 additionally comprising a proximal suture eyelet in the anchor body, and at least one of the two of more suture loops disposed through the eyelet.

16. A suture anchor for securing suture to bone comprising:

a central anchor body having a central longitudinal axis;

a distal end and a proximal end;

external screw threads extending from the anchor body disposed about the axis between the distal and the proximal end;

a drive head disposed at the proximal end;

at least one suture passage through the body; and

,

two or more suture loops mounted to the body through the at least one suture passage.

17. A surgical kit comprising:

a first suture anchor comprising a first anchor body, a central longitudinal axis through the body, external screw threads about the axis, a distal end, a proximal end, one or more suture loop affixed proximally to the first body;

a second suture anchor having a second anchor body, a suture capture notch on the body for receiving a portion of one of the one or more suture loop;

a first anchor insertion tool, for fixing the first anchor into the bone; and

a second anchor insertion tool for installing the second anchor into the bone.

18. The kit of claim 17 wherein the anchor comprises two suture loops.

19. The kit of claim 17 wherein the second anchor is selected from the group consisting of an interference type fixation anchor and an externally threaded fixation anchor.

20. The kit of claim 17 wherein the second anchor comprises a knotless anchor.