Bone anchor installer and method of use

• US 20070260259A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tornier Incorporated
• Inventors: Krumme, John, Fanton, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 8,721,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• 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 17/0483 Hand-held instruments for holding sutures A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30
• 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 17/062 Needle manipulators
• 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 2017/0427 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 2017/0445 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 2017/0451 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

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using a bone anchoring system are described. Methods and apparatuses may allow transformation between locked and unlocked states, thereby allowing adjustment of the tension in the suture. The apparatus and/or methods may allow unidirectional movement of a suture, while preventing slippage or movement of the suture and tissue in the opposite direction. Ends of a suture may be individually tensioned to adjust positioning of a tissue with respect to a bone.

Claims

1. A bone anchor installer system comprising:

an installer;

the installer comprising;

a handle portion; and

an loader portion, said loader portion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the handle portion, and wherein the distal end is configured such that a bone anchor is couplable thereto; and

an anchor holder removably coupled to the distal end of the loader portion, the anchor holder comprising;

a first portion coupled to a second portion, said first and second portions defining a cavity sized to accept the distal end of the loader portion having a bone anchor is couplable thereto;

a means of uncoupling said first and second portions.

2. The installer system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a bone anchor coupled to the distal end of the loader portion.

3. The installer system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a means of tethering a bone anchor coupled to the distal end of the loader portion.

4. The installer system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the loader portion is substantially tubular in shape.

5. The installer system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a cannula, wherein said cannula is configured such that at least a portion of the installer having a bone anchor coupled thereto is deliverable to a surgical site during use.

6. The installer system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a suture puller coupled to the anchor holder, wherein said suture puller is configured to couple a suture to a bone anchor.

7. The installer system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said suture puller comprises:

a proximal end, said proximal end being configured to allow an operator to pull the suture puller through the anchor holder;

a central portion, said central portion being engaged with the anchor holder and a bone anchor residing therein such that pulling the proximal end of the suture holder couples one or more suture ends to the bone anchor; and

a distal end, said proximal end being couplable to one or more sutures.

13. The installer system in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a cannula, wherein said cannula is configured such that at least a portion of the installer having a bone anchor coupled thereto is deliverable to a surgical site during use.

8. A bone anchor installer system comprising:

an installer;

the installer comprising;

a handle portion;

a loader portion, said loader portion comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the handle portion, wherein the distal end is configured such that a bone anchor is couplable thereto;

a channel extending from the handle portion to the distal end of the loader portion; and

a means of tethering a bone anchor to the distal end of the loader portion, said tethering means positioned within the channel of the installer, wherein at least a portion of the tethering means is accessible during use.

9. The installer system in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a bone anchor coupled to the distal end of the loader portion.

10. The installer system in accordance with claim 8, further comprising an anchor holder removably coupled to the distal end of the loader portion.

11. The installer system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the anchor holder comprises:

a first portion coupled to a second portion, said first and second portions defining a cavity sized to accept the distal end of the loader portion having a bone anchor is coupled thereto; and

a means of uncoupling said first and second portions.

12. The installer system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a suture puller, wherein said suture puller is configured to couple a suture to a bone anchor.