METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MATERIAL FIXATION

• US 20080183290A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cayenne Medical Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cayenne Medical Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baird, Kevin N., Harper, Derek J., Montgomery, Kenneth D., Kovalski, Joe P., Kovalski, Joanne
• Granted Patent: US 7,879,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/13.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• 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 2002/0835 with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone

Abstract

A soft tissue fixation system, most typically applicable to orthopedic joint repairs, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee repair procedures, comprises an implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone. A first member is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring the implant in place in the tunnel, and a second member is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within the tunnel. The second member also functions to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls to promote tendon-bone fixation. Extra graft length is eliminated by compression of the tendon against the bone at the aperture of the femoral tunnel, which more closely replicates the native ACL and increases graft stiffness. The inventive device provides high fixation of tendon to bone and active tendon-bone compression. Graft strength has been found to be greater than 1,000 N (Newtons), which is desirable for ACL reconstruction systems.

Claims

1. A material fixation system, comprising:

an implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone;

a first member which is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring said implant in place in the tunnel; and

a second member which is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within said tunnel, and to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls.

2. The material fixation system as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a third member which is movable to deploy said first member outwardly.

3. The material fixation system as recited in claim 2, and further comprising a fourth member for actuating said third member to move in order to deploy said first member.

4. The material fixation system as recited in claim 3, wherein said fourth member comprises a portion which functions to deploy said second member outwardly.

5. The material fixation system as recited in claim 1, wherein said implant comprises a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and said first member is disposed on said body.

6. The material fixation system as recited in claim 5, wherein said first member comprises an arm which is pivotally attached to said body.

7. The material fixation system as recited in claim 6, wherein said third member comprises a wedge which is movable generally axially to deploy said arm.

8. The material fixation system as recited in claim 7, wherein said fourth member comprises a deployment screw having a distal end and a proximal end, said deployment screw being adapted to extend axially through said body, the distal end of said deployment screw having a threaded portion which is engageable with a complementary threaded portion on said wedge, wherein rotation of said deployment screw causes relative movement of said deployment screw and said wedge.

9. The material fixation system as recited in claim 8, wherein said wedge moves proximally to deploy said arm.

10. The material fixation system as recited in claim 7, wherein said second member comprises a compression pad.

11. The material fixation system as recited in claim 10, wherein said fourth member portion comprises a head of said deployment screw, disposed on the proximal end thereof.

12. An anchor for securing soft tissue into a portion of bone, comprising:

a body portion having a distal end and a proximal end;

at least one outwardly deployable anchoring member disposed on said body;

a wedge member which is movable for deploying said at least one outwardly deployable anchoring member; and

a generally axially movable deploying member for moving said wedge member.

13. The anchor as recited in claim 12, wherein said deploying member engages said wedge member to move said wedge member, and is disposed proximally of said wedge member.

14. The anchor as recited in claim 13, wherein said wedge member is disposed distally of said outwardly deployable anchoring member, and moves proximally in order to deploy said outwardly deployable anchoring member outwardly.

15. The anchor as recited in claim 12, and further comprising an outwardly deployable compression member for engaging a portion of soft tissue and pushing said soft tissue outwardly into contact with adjacent bone.

16. The anchor as recited in claim 15, wherein said outwardly deployable compression member is proximal to said outwardly deployable anchoring member.

17. The anchor as recited in claim 15, wherein a portion of said generally axially movable deploying member is adapted to deploy said compression member outwardly.

18. The anchor as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one outwardly deployable anchoring member comprises an arm pivotally attached to said body.

19. The anchor as recited in claim 12, wherein said generally axially deploying member comprises a threaded deployment screw.

20. An implant system for use in making an orthopedic repair of a joint, said implant system comprising:

a first implant adapted for receiving a tissue graft thereon and then being disposed in a first bone tunnel location, wherein ends of the tissue graft extend through a bone tunnel and out of a proximal end of the tunnel, said first implant comprising;

a body portion having a distal end and a proximal end;

a first member disposed on said body portion which is deployable outwardly to engage adjacent bone for anchoring said implant in place in the tunnel; and

a second member disposed on said body portion which is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within said tunnel, and to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls; and

a second implant adapted for disposition in a second bone tunnel location, proximal to said first bone tunnel location, said second implant being adapted to secure the ends of the tissue graft which extend from the first implant against adjacent bone.

21. The implant system as recited in claim 20, wherein said first implant further comprises a third member which is movable to deploy said first member outwardly.

22. The implant system as recited in claim 21, and further comprising a fourth member for actuating said third member to move in order to deploy said first member.

23. A method of making an orthopedic repair by fixing a soft tissue graft to bone, comprising:

placing a soft tissue graft on an implant;

disposing said implant within a bone tunnel at a desired location, such that a plurality of ends of the soft tissue graft extend from said implant in a proximal direction through said bone tunnel;

deploying a first member on a body of said implant outwardly so that portions of said first member engage adjacent bone to secure said implant in place at the desired location; and

deploying a second member on the body of said implant outwardly so that portions of the second member engage portions of the plurality of ends of the soft tissue graft and push the soft tissue graft ends into contact with adjacent bone.