Method and apparatuses for securing suture

• US 20070225719A1
• Filed: 03/21/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walters, Troy, Stone, Kevin, Denham, Gregory, Conner, Nathanael
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,820 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 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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 2017/045 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: 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 2017/0477 with pre-tied sutures

Abstract

Various suture anchors and surgical methods are provided. A two-part suture anchor is provided having a continuously threaded anchor body defining an axial bore and a pin. The pin includes a tip and a plate defining at least two suture receiving openings aligned in a single plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axial bore is disposed in anchor body. Methods of attaching soft tissue to bone are also provided.

Claims

1. A suture anchor comprising:

a continuously threaded anchor body defining an axial bore extending from an anchor proximal end to an anchor distal end; and

a pin having a tip at a pin distal end and a plate at a proximal end, the plate defining at least two suture receiving openings aligned in a single plane, where the plane is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axial bore;

wherein the plate is adapted to fit into the anchor body axial bore.

2. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein the plate is a rectangle-shaped plate defining two suture receiving openings.

3. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises three attached arms to form a y-shape and each arm defines at least one suture receiving opening.

4. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of separate arms wherein each arm defines at least one suture receiving opening.

5. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein the anchor body defines a shoulder within the anchor body, the shoulder having a first cross section and the pin further comprises a corresponding cross section to mate with the shoulder.

6. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein the tip is continuously threaded.

7. The suture anchor of claim 1, wherein the anchor body proximal end defines a driver receiving region.

8. The suture anchor of claim 1, further comprising a suture passing through the suture receiving opening to define a closed suture loop.

9. A suture anchor comprising:

a continuously threaded anchor body defining an axial bore extending from an anchor proximal end to an anchor distal end;

wherein the anchor body defines an interior shoulder; and

a pin having a tip at a pin distal end and a plate at a proximal end, the plate defining at least one suture receiving opening;

wherein the plate fits into the anchor body axial bore and is supported within the anchor body by the interior shoulder.

10. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the plate defines a plurality of suture receiving openings.

11. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the tip has a smaller diameter than the opening of the anchor body.

12. A method of preparing a suture anchor to attach a soft tissue to bone comprising:

loading at least one suture into at least two suture receiving openings in a pin, where the at least two suture receiving openings are aligned in a single plane;

disposing the pin in an axial bore of a continuously threaded anchor body such that the suture receiving openings are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an axial bore in the anchor body.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising loading at least two sutures into the at least two suture receiving openings in the pin.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising loading more than one suture into a single suture receiving opening.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising arranging the sutures to extend through a proximal end of the anchor body.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising passing at least one suture through the suture receiving opening to define at least one closed suture loop.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising threading at least one suture through the at least one suture loop.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one suture loop extends beyond a proximal end of the anchor body.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising advancing the pin proximally into the anchor body.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising abutting the pin against a shoulder defined in the anchor body to distribute a load created by tension on the suture to the shoulder and thereby reduce load on a cross section of the at least one suture receiving opening.